By Tech Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
Smart grids are a network of software and digital technologies that enhance the traditional electric grid to help it better manage supply and demand of electricity. Smart grid technology can include microgrids, batteries and energy storage, technology that helps electric products communicate with each other, and smart meters.
The basics
Electric grids are a complex system of wires that transport electrons from where they’re generated to where they’ll be used (to power a building, charge a car, etc.). There are multiple electric grids that distribute power across the US—and even more that power big cities like New York—but the term “the grid” refers to all of the above, and the fact that they all work together to provide power to the world.
The grid gets overwhelmed, though, when too many consumers need energy at once, like during a heat wave. Smart grid technology comes to the grid’s rescue to provide stored sources of energy, offset energy demand, and better coordinate how the grid doles out energy.
So smart
Smart meters are a digital smart grid technology that helps consumers better control their electricity consumption and utilities respond to electrical outages—the big issue that smart grid technologies work to avoid. Smart meters also help to curb energy use when it’s not needed, which contributes to the grid being overwhelmed and experiencing demand overload.
Batteries are a smart grid technology that can take energy from the grid when general demand is low and store it to give back to the grid when demand is high. They can also be used by homeowners to store energy for when the grid is experiencing an outage. Microgrids are smaller energy grids that can take energy from the main grid and function independently when the larger grid is down. Both stationary storage batteries and microgrids are particularly useful in rural communities or during natural disasters.
EV batteries can also be used as a smart grid technology to support the grid: They can act as mobile energy storage, taking power from the grid and discharging energy back to it—also known as bidirectional charging—rather than just having unused power sitting in the EV battery.
The AI of it all
Many types of smart grid technologies use AI, whether in smart meters, utility-side technology, or EV bidirectional charging. AI aids in grid stability, saving energy, and preparing the grid for extreme weather.
