Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EEMag May June 2008 - Index

Al Gore must be nitrogen’s atomic enemy No. 1. Making up almost
80% of the air we breath, nitrogen receives little attention in
comparison to carbon dioxide these days. Carbon footprint, carbon
neutral, carbon offset, carbon sequestration, carbon trading have
quickly been integrated into the lexicon of modern-day life. Increased
environmental awareness has prompted many individuals and nations
to reconsider the potential impact of everyday activities on the climate
of tomorrow.
The electricity industry has understandably become a target of these
concerns. Preliminary data suggests that power generation was
responsible for 4 % of the 5890 million metric tonnes of CO emitted
in the USA in 00 . In Canada, power generation was responsible
for approximately 43% of all reported emissions for that same year .
In light of these figures, renewable energy alternatives have quickly
been gaining favour among regulators.
Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) have been established at
the state-level while federal regulators edge closer to legislation
implementing renewable energy across the nation. According to US
Department of Energy, states have mandatory RPS obligations with
an additional 3 states setting voluntary standards. These standards
vary between jurisdictions, with California and New York setting
aggressive targets of 0% and 3% by the years 010 and 013
respectively.
The green shift is occurring north of the border as well. The Ontario
Power Authority is proposing almost doubling the province’s renewable
energy by 0 5 in so far that renewable power makes up 40% of
the installed generation capacity. Canada’s smallest province, Prince
Edward Island, is targeting to meet its electricity needs using 100%
30 I May-June 2008 Issue
Clean Air & the Modern Grid:
The Challenges & Opportunities of Renewable Energy
Alternatives
By Caroline Lofthouse, Communications Specialist
for Rodan Energy & Metering Solutions
renewable energy by 015, thus eliminating the need for imports
from out-of-province. Even hydro-rich Quebec is integrating 4000MW
of wind power by 01 .
The greening of the grid is an integral part of 1st century’s
distribution system but a reduction in CO emissions is just one
challenge facing system planners. In the digital age, North American
economies are increasingly dependent on a reliable power supply for
sustained growth. Power outages have a tremendous impact on the
economy. It is estimated that the US loses from $119 to $188 billion
annually as a result of outages and power quality issues. An hour long
power outage at the Chicago Board of Trade in the summer of 000
pre-empted approximately $ 0 trillion worth in trade. The Blackout of
003, which cast the US Northeast and Ontario in darkness for up to
two days, is estimated to have cost between $7 and $10 billion.
To ensure global competitiveness, the antiquated grid infrastructure
must be updated to provide needed flexibility and reliability. As the
technology and infrastructure facilitate the evolution of the Modern
Grid or Smart Grid, large centralized generation will coexist with
small-scale distributed energy sources such as a 5MW solar array
or a 5MW wind farm.
The centralized linear generate-supply-consume model followed
essentially since Edison had his bright idea will need to be replaced
with a dynamic, interactive model which allows all participants a
role in balancing supply and demand. The Smart Grid is designed
to accommodate the needs of the technological age. This emerging
framework will:
1.
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3.
4.
5.
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7.
Provide real-time system optimization allowing the capacity to
detect, analyze and restore system faults at the local scale;
Motivate supply-side participation through consumer education
and enabling technologies;
Be more resistant to attacks through increased physical and
network security features;
Resolve power quality issues before manifestation;
Improve integration of small generators and increase the proportion
of renewable energy sources in the supply mix;
Optimize assets and efficiencies to minimize the need to build
new generation and supporting infrastructure; and
Enable markets through open-access systems that offer consumers
choice and create efficiencies.