In this blog post, we explore whether the smart grid can become the future power network that satisfies both energy efficiency and environmental protection. Join us in exploring the potential of innovative power technologies.
Lately, many news stories seem to be connected to energy. Even in the film industry, the movie ‘7th District’ about oil drilling was recently released. And the long-standing global dispute over Dokdo’s sovereignty is, at its core, an energy conflict. This is due to the new energy source ‘methane hydrate,’ a substance known to be deposited in large quantities around Dokdo. Meanwhile, in the automotive market, hybrid vehicles that use both electricity and petroleum to improve fuel efficiency are becoming mainstream. Furthermore, in the case of our country, since petroleum is hardly produced at all, we are particularly sensitive about energy. Therefore, we must reduce energy consumption and also use the energy being produced efficiently. Most energy is utilized in the convenient form of electrical energy. The pathway connecting this electrical energy from power plants to consumers is called the power grid. Most countries, including South Korea, use aging power grids. Recently, in electrical engineering, smart grids are emerging. These are intelligent power grids that integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into these conventional power grids to optimize energy efficiency. This technology is not a distant future concept; starting this year, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has been designated as a pilot city, and smart grid technology is being applied there. Smart grid technology is already being implemented now. If you visit the pilot district in Jeju, you can even experience firsthand how our lives might change with smart grids. What advantages does this smart grid technology offer, and what changes will it bring to our lives?
Such technological advancements contribute significantly not only to improving efficiency but also to solving environmental problems. Utilizing smart grids enables the same power supply while consuming fewer energy resources, ultimately leading to reduced carbon emissions. As climate change emerges as a critical global issue, technologies like smart grids can contribute significantly to protecting the Earth’s environment, going beyond mere energy savings. Particularly, the activation of smart grids based on renewable energy, rather than traditional fossil fuel-based energy production, will become an essential element in ensuring a sustainable future.
First, using smart grids enables two-way communication regarding electricity. It’s like the difference between the old days of receiving messages only one-way via signal fires and today’s ability to communicate bidirectionally by phone. In other words, while we currently only receive electricity from power plants, smart grids allow distributed power sources connected to the grid to send electrical energy back to the power plant. Therefore, surplus energy from home solar power systems or electric vehicles can be sold. While this change may seem unnecessary for individuals, it transforms the structure where electricity was solely supplied by national public utilities into one enabled by diverse providers. This facilitates the supply of alternative energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power by new entrants. Currently, most energy is produced through environmentally harmful methods like nuclear power and coal. This means increased use of alternative energy sources with minimal environmental pollution.
As these alternative energies become more active, the distribution of energy resources will become more decentralized, reducing interdependence among nations regarding energy sovereignty. For example, while many nations currently rely heavily on resources like oil or natural gas, if they can produce renewable energy like solar or wind power in a distributed manner through smart grids, the likelihood of becoming embroiled in energy resource wars or conflicts will also decrease. This is why it is crucial for nations to establish the technological foundation to produce the energy they need domestically and use it efficiently.
Meanwhile, smart grid technology enables real-time measurement of overall electricity consumption. This is made possible through Power Line Communication (PLC) technology. Until now, establishing communication required installing new lines like telephone wires or fiber optic cables. However, this technology transmits communication signals by modulating them onto power lines carrying alternating current, and the receiving end demodulates and interprets them. This is akin to sending a coded letter through a water pipe filled with flowing water, which the recipient then decodes to understand its meaning. Previously, electricity consumption could only be determined monthly through meter readings at each usage point. Now, through PLC technology, this data can be monitored in real-time on a national scale. How might this change our lives? First, it enables time-of-use electricity pricing. Because real-time power usage is known, higher rates can be charged during peak usage times, while lower rates can be applied during off-peak periods. From the consumer’s perspective, tasks like charging electric vehicles, which can be delayed, can be performed during these cheaper time slots.
Second, efficient energy usage measurement enables more efficient power generation. Until now, power plants have continuously produced electricity above a certain level because exact usage was unknown. This buffer is maintained to prevent large-scale blackouts if supply falls short. However, efficient energy usage measurement allows for more precise adjustment of generation capacity, potentially reducing the need for new power plants. According to promotional materials from the Korean government, this could avoid the construction of new power plants totaling 2.3 trillion won by 2030. Consequently, this would save capital and also reduce environmental pollution.
