http://www.ElectricEnergyOnline.com

Electric Energy T&D - Index

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

A River Doesn’t Always Run Through It
The integration of renewable energy into the
modern grid is complicated by the spatial
diversity of resources. The implications of this
are two-fold. Firstly, the uneven distribution
of solar, wind or hydro-electric potential
inhibits the implementation of a national
RPS. The have-not states would be required
to import renewable energy to comply with
minimum requirements. Secondly, this
would be initially impeded by the required
upgrades in transmission and distribution
infrastructure.
New infrastructure is imperative for the
Modern Grid and the integration of renewable
resources. Increased capacity and spatiallydistributed
generation assets require a
dynamic, interactive communication network
that provides the flexibility and efficiency in
distributing electricity. A case in point would
be unscheduled power flows as a result
of high wind production and low demand.
With insufficient North-South transmission
lines, the combined wind output of Denmark
and Germany results in the transmission
from Northern to Southern Germany via the
transmission networks of the Netherlands,
Belgium and France.
These challenges are not insurmountable
but will require a pragmatic approach to
balancing the green equation; a reliable power
supply that balances the renewables with
existing power sources to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. A critical component of this
equation will be consumer response. Modern
Grid technologies will provide consumers the
May-June 2008 Issue I
tools with which to participate and address
their primary objectives, whether these
are lowering electricity bills, enhancing
productivity or reducing their environmental
impact.
The consumer holds the key to ensuring the
integration of renewables into the supply
mix. Conservation & Demand Management
initiatives are becoming more prevalent,
giving consumers options. Energy efficiency
and load management provide a ready
resource and alternative to relying solely on
the conventional power sources. Demand
response resources serve to complement
the intermittent nature of wind & solar
power alternatives. Environmental concerns
have fueled the growth in renewable energy
alternatives over the past decade. Efficient
use of resources will be the driving factor of
the Modern Grid. j
About the Author
Caroline Lofthouse is the Communications
Specialist for Rodan Energy & Metering
Solutions located in Mississauga, Ontario.
As a Metering Services Provider licensed
with the IESO, Rodan provides high voltage
metering and power systems engineering
services as well as a full suite of submetering,
data management and settlement
solutions. Under its EnerShift brand, Rodan
has become the leading provider of demand
response and energy efficiency aggregation
services in Ontario. Caroline joined Rodan in
2006 upon completion of a M.Sc. from York
University in Toronto, ON.
33