Smart Grid Solutions: Tips to Improve the Way We Get Our Energy
November 23, 2021
The smart grid is the next evolution of our energy systems. As more renewable sources like wind and solar power come online, smart grid technologies are needed to ensure that we don’t overload the system or lose electricity when the sun goes down. The smart grid will also help us save money by providing two-way communication between homes and utilities. Thus you can manage your appliances better, monitor your usage, and even sell back excess energy if you have a rooftop solar system. In this blog post, we’ll look at smart grid solutions and how they can help you get the most out of your energy systems.
Why should we care about our power grid?
We don’t. We want to flip on the light switch and expect that there will be power when we need it. But smart grid solutions can help us save energy, money and even lives by making our electricity distribution smart to monitor its use better and manage how much comes into homes and businesses at any given time.
What are smart grid technologies?
Smart grids rely on several different smart grid technologies to help monitor and manage energy distribution. Some smart grid solutions include:
- Smart meters, which provide two-way communication with utilities
- Sensors that can detect potential problems like overloaded equipment or downed power lines before they happen
- Smart appliances turn off when the system is overburdened, so you don’t experience a blackout during an emergency.
- Solar panels are paired with battery storage systems where excess electricity produced by rooftop solar could get stored for use at night or in cloudy weather instead of being sent back into the grid.
What are smart grid benefits?
- The smart grid delivers several benefits for both businesses and homeowners, including:
- Increased efficiency in power distribution
- Reduction of carbon footprint through electricity conservation practices
- Two-way communication between homes/offices and utilities so that you know when there is an issue with the system before it happens
- Provides the ability to sell excess renewable source energy back into the system rather than losing it because you can’t use all of what comes from rooftop solar panels, etc.
The smart grid has been called one of today’s most significant technological opportunities. However, there are still many challenges that must be overcome before we can take advantage of all its benefits. A smart grid is smart in every sense of the word; it’s a way to make our energy distribution smarter and save money at the same time!
What does this mean for me as a homeowner?
As more people start controlling their power generation through solar panels and other technologies like Tesla batteries, smart grid technology becomes ever-more critical. Thus we don’t overload existing infrastructure when too much renewable source energy comes into the system at once.
The smart grid is built to accommodate more renewable sources of energy and even electric vehicles by sending excess electricity generated from these technologies back into the more extensive power distribution network. Thus we can all use it when we need it, but this also means that smart technology will be critical for managing our increasing reliance on low-carbon sustainable energy.
Conclusion
The world is changing, and the way we think about energy needs to change with it. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking ways to improve your company’s bottom line or a homeowner looking for new solutions that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, contact Energy Control Systems today. They have extensive experience in designing smart grid solutions for residential homes as well as commercial buildings. Work with them on finding innovative ways to take advantage of the natural resources with smart grid solutions while also saving money!