Published on EGEE 401: Energy in a Changing World (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401)

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Discussion Forum

Unit 3 Discussion Forum: "Smart Grid"

A report from the White House presents estimates of weather-related power outages costing the US economy $25 to $70 billion a year (inflation adjusted). These costs include lost output and wages, spoiled inventory, delayed production, inconvenience, and damage to the grid itself. Severe weather is the "number one" cause of power outages in the United States and the number of outages caused by severe weather is "expected to rise as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, blizzards, floods and other extreme weather events." (Economic Benefits of Increasing Electric Grid Resilience to Weather Outages [1], Executive Office of the President, August 2013.)

Power failures are expensive, disruptive and can be dangerous. After no significant power losses for a decade, our home has been without power for weeks over the last several years, a result of changing weather and aging infrastructure –freak ice storms, Sandy, local equipment failure. All events were costly in terms of work productivity, loss of property and expensive emergency measures to find safe and warm temporary housing. Compounding the misery, like many, we received poor or no information about the status of our service, and the info we did receive was often very wrong. We received numerous calls from the utility and even a visit from a worker to tell us our service was restored when the street was still lined with downed poles. (Can you imagine THAT conversation?) I'm sure many of you have your stories too!

One possible remedy to help prevent and then manage before, during and after grid failures is the smart grid. Recent events, like severe winter weather and Hurricane Sandy, have drawn attention again to the Smart Grid. The promise of its benefits are beyond mitigation of power outages, however, it may also help us use energy more efficiently through information and personal behavior as well as automation and intelligent controls. The Smart Grid could also help integrate distributed generation smoothly into the grid, especially important for intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. ("Distributed generation" simply means the electricity is generated at or near its point of use.)

In this discussion, we'll talk about what the smart grid is, its promises and challenges and what it may mean to you.

Use material from the lesson and your own independent research. In your posting, please address the following;

  • In your own words, briefly describe what the smart grid is.
  • Ask someone in your everyday life to describe the Smart Grid. How did they do? (Tell us!) How well do you believe the public understands what the smart grid is?
  • Research and share one new piece of information about the smart grid (not something covered in the lesson). Please give source, of course.
  • What do you see as the two most promising features (benefits) of the smart grid to society? What do you see as the biggest challenges?
  • How do you think the smart grid would be of benefit to you directly? What, if anything, about the smart grid might concern you, worry you, personally?

Respond. Read the postings of others and respond to at least one.

Please define and explain any acronyms or abbreviations you use (GHG = greenhouse gas) and wherever possible include links to your references. Any questions, just let me know!

Post your work in the Discussion, "Smart Grid" You'll find it in CANVAS, in the Unit 3 Module. Please follow full instructions there.

Read the postings of others and respond to at least one. Follow up on any postings made to your comment.

Please see Canvas calendar for due date of your FIRST posting and date when discussion ends (graded participation ends, all replies must be in).

Grading criteria

You will be graded on the quality of your participation. Be interesting and interested! Please see Syllabus for full Discussion Forum grading criteria.


Source URL: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/content/p7_p8.html

Links
[1] http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/08/f2/Grid%20Resiliency%20Report_FINAL.pdf