S08 TRME 5 2020 Power Distribution_Layout 1 05/11/2020 05:47 Page 29
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Power Distribution
New tools are set to help enhance the efficacy, resilience and security of distribution grids.
Digital grids: The future of electricity AI, data analytics and IoT have huge potential to alleviate major grid complexity challenges in the near future. Deblina Roy reports. HE MAGIC OF power shifts lies in the transmission and distribution of clean energy to the customers. Restructuring of power grids to be able to accommodate the power shifts is a major piece of the energy puzzle. Power grids are seen as the true enabler that controls, analyses and transmits clean energy to people and industries. How the grid evolves will determine how economical the transformation to these cleaner energy resources will be and, therefore, how quickly they are adopted. Power and Utilities Perspective, a report by Deloitte, has examined the energy and utilities industry’s ability to embrace disruption. For power and utilities companies, the pace of technology change brings a nonstop stream of questions, challenges and opportunities. As power companies, equipment manufacturers, service providers and end users seek to position their businesses for
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According to the 2019 Global Energy Perspective from McKinsey, electricity consumption doubles until 2050.
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the future, the industry will need to resolve issues such as ancient grid infrastructure and the need to adapt; penetration of renewable energies; ensuring sustainable energy for all; the different cost of fuels and generation mix infrastructure; pressures to reduce power prices etc. Deloitte’s report highlighted that new tools can help enhance the efficacy, resilience and security of distribution grids while deriving new insights from smart meters. New technology brings new talent challenges, but it can also enhance training and certification across every role. As distributed generation and storage technologies gain traction, the grid is moving from unidirectional distribution toward multidirectional networking with millions of buyers and sellers. Pilot technologies include Blockchain for secure financials, IoT to monitor the grid and artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to predict supply and demand.
Technical Review Middle East - Issue Five 2020
