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“Vidyashram Techfiesta 2K19” 11 National Conference on Recent in Engineering”
Smart Grid Technology
Bagul Nikhil Kishor
Department of Electrical Engineering
D. N. Patel college of Engineering, shahada
Bagulnikhil143@gmail.com
Abstract— The fundamental way of operating the power grid has
not changed for the past century. It has remained essentially the
same, although the number of consumers and their needs have
grown exponentially. Utilities across the world are trying to
figure out how to bring the network into the 21st century and the
digital computer age. This effort will make the power grid more
intelligent; the latter is broadly referred to as the smart grid
(SG). However, while modern technologies have transformed
much of the economy, the electric industry and in particular the
distribution grid has not yet embraced or implemented these
technologies. This paper reviews works related to smart grid,
presents the need for smart grid technologies by identifying its
benefits along with different areas of its application for the
realization of reliable and efficient grid structure. Proper
utilization of these technologies could bring improvement to the
operation of smart grids and possibly eliminate the challenges
they encounter.
Keywords-smart grid; information and communication
technology; efficiency; demand response
I. INTRODUCTION
The increasing complexity of the conventional grid due to
population growth and advancement in technology and
infrastructures contribute immensely to instability, insecurity,
inefficiency and environmental energy sustainability. This
calls for the use of Information and communication
technologies (ICT) to take care of the reliability impact of
smart grid resources such as renewable energy, demand
response, energy storage and electric transportation [1].
Various emerging technologies within the transmission and
distribution networks can contribute towards improving
system operation and management [2]. The distribution system
is of prime significance since it used to be a passive network
with far less automated functions than the transmission
system. In this vein, the fundamental objective of any smart
grid implementation on the distribution system should enable
all infrastructures to allow all desirable functions of
optimizing the operation of the distribution system to achieve
maximum benefits to utilities and end users alike [3], [4].
These goals are achievable only via a system that will enable
accurate and regular monitoring of the distribution system.
As far as system planning is concerned, the planning
process can be greatly improved by applying the data received
from smart grid technologies (SGTs) [5]. In fact, expansion
plans change under different weighted combination of
objective functions and different cases according to the SGTs
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Mansuri Mujammil S .
Department of Electrical Engineering
D. N. Patel college of Engineering, shahada
Mujammilmansuri77@gmail.com
in the system; while the objective function in itself can also be
improved due to the existence of SGTs [6]. There are indeed
some energy-related benefits from deploying the SGTs in the
distribution network [7]. Nonetheless, it requires further
development of the SGTs and integrating them into the grid
structure [8]. This could allow the self-healing functionality of
the grid and facilitate the integration of distributed generation
(DG) technologies. For instance, the SGTs can be employed to
expedite reactive power compensation using dynamic VAR
devices [9]. Enabling technologies in terms of information and
communications can definitely unclog the realization of these
smart grid functions [10].
The use of smart grid technologies will have a societal
impact in the near future [11], since it will not be only
affecting network operators and grid users, but also individual
homeowners [12]. With the envisioned transition from a
hierarchically controlled grid to a distributed controlled one
[13], end users will become increasingly aware of their energy
consumption patterns and can accordingly decide to balance
their lifestyle and business requirements as an active customer
of the grid [14].
This paper basically provides a review of the different
technologies associated with the smart grid and its likely
applications on the existing grid system. The main features of
the smart grid are first outlined and the technologies needed to
realize a smart system infrastructure is highlighted. The vision
for the future grid along with its implementation issues is
further articulated. The challenges that may hinder the
implementation are spelled out and conclusions are presented.
II. SMART GRID CONCEPTS AND FEATURES
There is no clear cut definition of a SG because nobody
can specifically tell how it will look like and how it will
operate in a given service area. Without a unique definition,
people tend to imagine their own vision of how technologies,
systems and end-users will relate together. Literature review
on [15] – [17] stated different definitions of the SG but, the
European Commission Task Force on Smart Grid defined the
SG as “an electricity network that can intelligently integrate
the action of all users connected to it – generators, consumers
and those that do both – in order to ensure economically
efficient and sustainable power system with low losses, high
level of quality, security of supply and safety [18]. Smart grid
can be said to be a system of information and communication
applications integrated with electric generation, transmission,
distribution and consumer technologies which will enable
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“Vidyashram Techfiesta 2K19” 11 National Conference on Recent in Engineering”
Fig. 1. Smart grid conceptual model.
consumers to manage their usage and chose economically
between efficient offerings; utilize automation and alternative
resources to maintain delivery system reliability and stability;
and apply the most friendly renewable, storage, and generation
alternatives. The SG conceptual model is shown in Fig. 1.
The development of smart grid is to be automated,
digitalized, and widely distributed energy delivery network
[19], [20]. SG applies the use of digital technology to improve
reliability security, and efficiency (both economy and energy)
of the electric system from large generation, through the
delivery system to electricity consumers and a growing
number of DGs and storage devices [10], [21].
The basic concept of a SG is to include monitoring,
analysis, control, and communication capabilities to the
conventional grid system to maximize the throughput of the
system and reduce the energy consumption. The SG provides
opportunities for utilities to move electricity around the
system as efficiently and economically as possible. It will also
offer homeowners and businesses to use electricity as
economically as possible. It is to achieve reliability, efficiency
and optimization in operation, planning, demand response, as
well as utilization of diverse resources [22] – [24]. With the
above concept of a smart grid, there is a great assurance of
power quality and reliability of power system.
While the initial concept of a SG was with the notion of
advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to improve the
demand side management and energy efficiency, it has
developed to include more features [8]:
 Self-healing: One of the features of the SG is that it be
self-healing, i.e., able to be preventive, corrective,
emergent and restorative [25], [26]. It quickly detects
and reacts to power disturbances with no or minimum
effect on the end-user [27].
 Interactive: It obtains intelligent interaction between
utility grids and end-users to achieve energy flow,
information flow and capital flow in bi-directional
ways.
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Fig. 2 Functions of smart grid.
 Strong/Security: The security of the utility grid is its
capability to mitigate disturbances and contingencies
[28]. It quickly identifies cyber and physical attacks
and responds to man-made glitches and natural
disasters, protection failures, information security
breaches and other vulnerabilities.
 Optimization: Improvement in the use of assets and
effective minimization of operation and maintenance
cost.
 Compatibility: Provision of centralized power
generation, distributed power generation and energy
storage capabilities.
 Integration: It involves optimization, information
assimilation and the standardization and refinement of
the management paradigm [27].
In order to realize this new smart grid system, a host of
supporting technologies is needed. Fig. 2 shows the functions
of the SG.
III. SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES
Smart Grid builds on many of the technologies already
used by electric utilities and includes the use of
communication and control capabilities to optimize the
operation of the entire electrical grid. Some of the SG
technologies in use today are:
a) Real time situation awareness and analysis of the
distribution system that can drive improving system
operational practices which, in turn, improves reliability;
b) Fault location and isolation that speeds up system
recovery when an outage occurs, by allowing maintenance
crew to drastically narrow the search for the down line;

“Vidyashram Techfiesta 2K19” 11 National Conference on Recent in Engineering”
c) Substation automation enables the utility to plan,
monitor, and control equipment in a decentralized way. It thus
makes better use of maintenance budgets and boosts
reliability;
d) Smart meters allow utility customers to participate in
time-of-use pricing programs and have greater control over
their energy usage and cost;
e) SCADA/DMS place more analysis and control
functions in the hand of grid operators;
f) Voltage control, through reactive power
compensation and the broader application of power
electronics, increases transmission capacity of existing lines
and improves the resilience of the power system as a whole.
For the existing power grid to be transformed into a smart
grid there is a need for power engineering technologies to
meet energy demand and strategies to control it. Smart Grid is
positioned to take advantage of new technologies, such as
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), various forms of
DGs, solar energy, smart metering, lighting management
systems, distribution automation, and many more. For the
proposed grid to be really smart as it supposes to be, the
following enabling technologies must be involved and
utilized.
A. Power Electronics
Power electronics are essential in the implementation of
smart grids because of the integration of renewable energy
sources (RES), which requires highly developed power
converter system. According to [29] – [33], FACTS and
HVDC provide fast dynamic voltage support, power flow and
stability control of the power grid. In addition, it improves the
efficient use of transmission assets. The installation of FACTS
devices helps the power grid in adjusting voltage and power
flow dynamically and flexibly [19]. Also, it militates against
network congestion and blackouts. Power electronics also
include an emergency command system and advanced
distribution automation (ADA) system and related
technologies. ADA system includes system monitoring and
control, power distribution system management functions and
interaction with the user (such as load management,
measurement and real-time pricing) [24].
B. Distributed Energy Access
Is a small unit of electricity resources that is connected to
the low voltage side of the distribution system at different
locations close to the end user [34]. It is an intelligent network
system including intelligent decision-making with adaptive
ability and distributed management to monitor, collect and
convey information of the network to the end-user, to make
sure that there is an optimal allocation and utilization of
energy. This brings improvement to grid operation and energy
efficiency [24].
C. Energy Measurement and Demand Side Participation
Measurements and signals coming from different locations
across the network through sensors can be utilized by
controllers to enable the self-healing feature in sub-second time
frame of the system under disturbances or fault conditions [34-
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36]. The use of bi-directional smart meters accompany
different applications such as; measurement of energy use at
different time in a day. It empowers consumers to do costing
analysis by informing them about the rates of energy
consumption most especially during the peak period [24].
Accordingly, consumers can make educated decisions to
change their electricity consumption patterns relative to
changes in the electricity rates overtime [2]. Smart meters,
through the power quality assessment, can identify system and
consumer voltage deficiency, harmonic distortion, and on-site
equipment failure [37], [34].
D. Energy Storage
Energy storage facilities can relieve congestion and
constrains. It also provides an easy connection of renewable
energy sources to the grid and makes islanding possible [2], in
addition to allowing load leveling and peak shaving [34].
Energy storage such as battery, thermal, hydrogen,
superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) devices, and
ultra-capacitors play an important role to minimize the impact
of sudden load changes and fluctuations in solar and wind
generation. Furthermore, it assists to shift energy consumption
from peak hours by providing energy balancing, load
following, and increased supply redundancy and system
reliability. The capability of distributed storage to store non-
dispatchable energy from renewable energy sources can
certainly improve system reliability [37].
E. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
SG makes use of information and communication
technology (ICT) to take care of the reliability impact of the
smart grid resources such as renewable energy, demand
response, energy storage and electric transportation [1], [9].
The SG must be connected to a secure two-way
communication network with energy management tools which
is essential for the aggregation of data coming from a very
large number of sensors and actuators nodes. The
communication network is the key enabler needed for the
achievement of SG. Communications provides advanced
control and monitoring, including supporting the involvement
of generation, transmission, marketing and service provision
to new concerned groups [9].
SG includes data sensing, collection, transmission,
communication and storing. A large number of sensors are
based on intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) deployed in
electric components, substations, homes, and premises. The
data collected from these devices are aggregated and sent to
control centers for operators or an automated system to
measure, analyze, and execute the processes of planning,
protection, and prevention [38]. The successful operation
assists to facilitate the monitoring and control to increase the
workload efficiency and strengthen the security protection of
the grid. Synchronous phasor measurement units (PMUs),
which amass data frequently in a power cycle, are being
deployed to assist in the development of a much more detailed
picture of the grid dynamics for system planning, control, and
post-incident analysis [38].
The SG communication infrastructure comprises of four
network sectors: core (or backbone, metro), middle-mile (or
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“Vidyashram Techfiesta 2K19” 11 National Conference on Recent in Engineering”
premises. These four monitoring sectors interconnecting with
one another supported by various technologies fundamentally
constitute the communication infrastructure of the SG. The
integration of heterogeneous networks will assist to facilitate
the efficient communication infrastructure for the SG. The use
of different technologies for the SG communications will
certainly rely on associated network characteristics. The
geographical needs, task objectives, including utilization and
services to customers will affect the choices of technological
development of the SG communications [21].
The fundamental component for making the SG to function,
is a robust and dynamic communications network, providing
the utility the ability of real time, two-way communications
throughout the grid and enabling interaction with each
component from fuel source to end user.
F. Control, Automation, and Monitoring
These are essential technologies needed to offer advanced
protective relaying, measurements, fault records and event
record for the power system, since security of the power
system must be ensured by using phase measurement unit
(PMU) and Wide Area measurement system (WAMS). Further,
there should be adequate integrated sensors, measurement,
control and automation system with information technology for
fast diagnosis and timely response to any fault occurrence in
any part of the power system, management and efficiency
operation, minimization of congestion and potential outages,
and to work autonomously when the situation requires fast
restoration [9]. Monitoring and controlling are essential
functions to make the smart grid self-healing, self-organizing
and self-configuring [34].
IV. VISION OF THE FUTURE SMART GRID
Modernization of the existing grid has been generally
accepted globally. Therefore, each country has developed
detailed plans and strategies, with an eye on transiting from
the existing grid to a SG with the available SGTs.
An image of the future is revealed through the SG vision.
The vision defines the expectation for what the SG looks like,
how it operates, and the costs involved [39]. The vision of the
power system required for the future is essential for today’s
grid modernization. Understanding this vision will create an
alignment necessary to inspire passion, investment and
progress towards the SG for the 21st century [40]. Vision of
SG should be a fully network-connected system that
reorganizes all elements of the power grid and communicates
its status, and the effect of consumption decisions (including
economic, environmental and reliability effects) to automated
decision making system of the network.
A SG vision is required to set the foundation for a
transition that aims at achieving that the SG must be reliable,
secure, economical, more effective, more environmental
friendly, and safe. Transformation of the existing grid starts
with building a vision, followed by the deployment of the
enabling technology platform and integration of the SG
application that will support that vision. The SG vision must
be expressed from different perspectives: its value,
characteristics, and the milestones for achieving it [41].
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V. SMART GRID IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
Important changes must be incorporated into the nature of
electricity supply, as demand increases and traditional
resources are exhausted. Major stakeholders should come
together to define a clear vision of the future. However, the
vision must be translated into practical solutions [42].The
implementation of SG requires quick action for optimal value
improvement, enhanced delivery and reliability, and benign
strategic and environmental impact on the nation’s energy
security through DGs and RESs. Nevertheless, to successfully
realize the benefits of SG depends largely on implementation
factors including; the ability of utilities and consumers to
make use of advanced ICT technologies, and utilize
interoperability strategies to improve the transmission
efficiency. While millions of smart meters are to be deployed
to mass market consumers, the full benefit of the SG
realization goes beyond smart meters and delivery
improvement [43]. It lies on the capability to transmit
electricity across the grid to make use of RESs.
The implementation of SG needs many steps in each
domain. The success of the implementation starts with
consumer acceptance of the SG implementation, to
commercial investment and to separate three tiers of
government roles in devising long-term plans and formulating
the right regulatory policies. Presently, some consumers are
opt-out of having smart meters and are not interested in the SG
because of the increase in electricity bill to offset the cost of
investment. There is a sizable portion of residential consumers
who do not want utilities to control systems in their homes
regardless of the saving potentials [43]. There is a need for
public awareness and campaigns that explain the benefits of
the SG and put it in simple terms, so that consumers can
appreciate its use.
The SG provides promise to combat climate change and
improve energy policies, but intimate details of customers
lifestyle can be revealed to utilities through their vast amount
of data. Therefore, with its provision of lower energy cost,
increased utilization of environmentally-friendly power
sources, and enhanced security against attacks and outages,
there is new privacy threat through the enhanced collection
and transmission of data-to-data that can reveal details about
activities within homes and that can easily be transmitted from
one place to the other [44].
Introduction of the SG comes with prospects and
problems. Utilization of the Internet to link data flow between
consumers and utilities can create cyber security threats and
vulnerabilities on the grid. Therefore, the SG requires special
protection through a more private network and not the
Internet. The SG utilizes IT to control supply and demand
based on numerous amount of data to determine the strategy to
deal with peak power loads and when to briefly switch “ON”
switch or “OFF” the power. Another problem is the easy-to-
use smart meter that introduces vulnerabilities. Smart meters
provide direct access to consumers, informing them about
their power usage and means of managing it. Still, this bi-
directional meter may also give room for the grid to be
attacked from the outside [45]. Customers hacking into data to
roll the meter back on the utility bill is a serious threat.

“Vidyashram Techfiesta 2K19” 11 National Conference on Recent in Engineering”
Vulnerabilities may permit an attacker to penetrate a network,
gain access to control software, and change load conditions to
destabilize the grid in an unpredictable manner. Therefore, the
compromise of data should not be the only concern, but SG
technologies need to look into governing the grid operation
too. Finally, it is required to secure the information flow on the
SG; which is a key determinant of its success. In addition,
there must be adequate resiliency and guarantees built in the
grid from the ground up to avoid a new risk on the SG [46]. In
spite of introducing new vulnerabilities, the SG basically
makes the electric system more secure [47]. Security comes
just in the form of increased reliability as it does from cyber
protection.
VI. PROJECTED IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
There is a lot of challenges in the implementation of the
SG such as: investment, regulations, business models,
consumer education, and cyber security. These are among the
leading factors, whereas the SG comprises some distinct but
subtly overlapping elements. Smart grid implementation
challenges can be divided into seven domains; consumers,
markets, operators, service providers, bulk generation,
transmission and distribution [44].
The development of the SG is a revolutionary
technological change in the electricity market that involves
many stakeholders. Every stakeholder embraces the transition
from the existing grid to the SG because of its assumed
features such as cleanness, cost effectiveness, flexibility,
reliability, efficiency and security. The European commission
concedes that with the SG, energy consumption will be
reduced by 10%, while carbon emission by 9%. The
International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that many countries
have developed SG plans, but there is a lack of concrete
project implementation. The distribution system operator
(DSO) may be in the best position to implement the SG, but
government policies and regulations may regulate them purely
on the basis of financial standards that they may not be able to
do what is expected. Another challenge before DSOs when it
comes to SG implementation is that staff is getting older, there
is a shortage of technical staff and at the same time, there is a
need for investment on technological skill. The worst of it is
that, the SG involves the use of the ICT which has not been in
the existing grid.
The existing grid is centralized with ultra high voltage
transmitted through transmission liens from generation down
to the end-user (one way traffic) with expanded connection
and the demand in the market could not be influenced. The
transition to the SG now comes with two major changes. From
centralized to decentralized power production; where both
generation configurations mix together making it somehow
complex. While there will be variable supply as a result of
intermittency and fluctuant RESs, the demand will become
responsive to price changes. In addition, the SG will have to
allow the penetration of PHEVs which increase the demand on
the grid, but it also provide storage of electricity in car
batteries which it may sell to utility. All these could only be
achieved by adding intelligence to the existing system from
the accomplishment of flexibility on the demand side and
accept the penetration of DGs into the system.
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Presuming, hypothetically, that no interest exists for the
transition to a SG, and the costs of not embarking on the
transition to the SG are to be assessed. The presumption has to
go along with the inevitability of increasing energy
consumption, and with an ageing electric grid that is pushed to
the breaking point. Lost revenues are those associated with
outages and environmental impacts. The cost of manual
operations is not linear but is increasing. With an ageing
workforce, the cost of manual operation of the system is
exponential. The SG technologies and infrastructure designed
to be in place are more than enough to take care of all the
challenges, milestones and vulnerabilities on the SG [48].
There is a relationship between existing grid and smart grid
and whatever may be the challenges on the smart grid, it
should not be an obstacle to upgrading the existing grid to a
smart grid [16].
VII. CONCLUSIONS
Smart grid is an improvement of the conventional grid to
make intelligent decisions on conditions of the electrical
power system to maintain a stable environment. One of its
objectives is to improve power system automation which
includes transmission, distribution, sub-station, individual
feeders and customers using the latest technologies. The only
way to fully implement the smart grid is to utilize modern
information and communication technologies (ICTs). The
paper has discussed the emerging technologies that will
contribute towards transforming the present grid into a smarter
grid. In addition, the paper has presented an appraisal of the
SG technologies and the vision for a future smart grid, its
implementation prospects and the challenges to overcome.
Tools, equipment, software and hardware involved are
described in the paper.
Smart grid technologies provide the opportunity to
improve the quality and reliability of power system. The SG
technologies and infrastructure, designed to be in place, are
more than enough to take care of all the challenges and
vulnerabilities of the SG. The technical feasibility, however, is
not in doubt and the cost of not achieving the SG vision is
higher than the technologies and infrastructure needed.
Therefore, nothing should impede the transition into the SG.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The first author acknowledges the support of The Federal
Polytechnic, Ede, Nigeria.
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