Increasing the efficiency of electrical power networks can help fight climate change, since any improvement means less carbon-based fuel needs to be burned to generate power, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. Upgraded electrical networks also encourage the integration of renewable energy sources, like wind power and photovoltaic energy, into utilities’ power generation portfolio, further reducing the need to burn oil, gas or coal to meet our ever-growing electrical power needs.
Upgrading electrical networks into smart grids also allows them to act as a communication infrastructure reaching from the energy source all the way to the customer’s premises, permitting real-time adjustments of electrical demand and delivery, according to NextGen Research’s study “Smart Grid Applications: Demand Response, Decentralized Generation and Smart Meters Increase Electrical Networks’ Capabilities, Efficiency and Reliability” (URL: http://www.nextgenresearch.com/research/1002016-Smart_Grid_Applications). Enabling advanced information technology and communications tools to operate through that infrastructure will permit utilities to optimize power generation and delivery.
The study’s author, Atakan Ozbek, notes that “economic considerations are also key” for the deployment of smart grids, since they will “reduce transaction costs and increase the profitability of technology investment for renewable energy and for advanced communications.” Further, he observes that “political pressure will be on the utility sector to deploy smart grid networks,” since regulators and politicians alike will value such deployments “for their ability to create jobs as the job market continues to tighten due to the ongoing economic contraction.”
via The Benefits of Smart Grids Include Fighting Climate Change, says NextGen Research.
Related posts:
- Creating smart power grids Smarter grids means more renewables, better power management
- U.S. Energy Sector Faces Big Climate Change Threats, Report Finds | Greentech Media
- Bringing the Smart Grid to military bases at From Edison’s Desk – GE Global Research Blog
- PNNL: Lab to get $5.7 million for climate change research, smart grid work | Tri-City Herald
- South Dakotans will pay more in effort to curb climate change | www.windaction.org
