The following paper presents the ‘Smart-Grid VDAR’ technology presented at CeBIT, Hannover. The idea and structure of the technology is subsequently introduced followed by a social analysis of the technology. Some of the relevant groups identified were: consumers, producers, environmentalists and the government. High installation costs and health concerns were addressed as the main problems concerned with the use of technology. Finally, the aim of European Union to adopt a smart grid within the next decade is highlighted which is an indication of an overall positive outlook towards the technology.
Table of Contents
1. Interpretative Flexibility
2. Relevant Social Groups
3. Problems and Conflicts
4. What is the Future of Smart Grids?
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the integration of Smart Grid technology, specifically the 'Smart-Grid VDAR' project, within modern society. It explores the shift from traditional energy markets to intelligent, interconnected power networks and analyzes the societal impacts, benefits, and challenges of these systems through the framework of the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT).
- Technical structure of Smart Grids and VDAR IT project components
- Social analysis of power market stakeholders including consumers, producers, and the government
- Economic and environmental implications of large-scale smart grid implementation
- Challenges regarding installation costs and potential health concerns
- Strategic outlook and European Union policy goals for renewable energy
Excerpt from the Book
What are Smart-Grids in VDAR IT Project?
The current power market is mainly an economic system which reflects the power flow in terms of trade for the day ahead and real time auctions. The VDAR IT Project proposes a ‘smart-grid’ ready power market which integrates the physical reality of the power market into the economic reality of the market model. This new grid is envisaged to contain a virtual grid based on bidirectional communication processes including novel components such as storage and distributed energy resources. (see Figure 1)
The physical grid, the virtual grid and the economic market are interconnected by a decoupled control loop. In this ‘smart-power-grid’, consumption control is not about energy saving but about efficiently balancing supply and demand, ideally in real time, to prevent extreme load situations both in the market and the grid. For example, in Germany, this technology could be incorporated in a top-down approach in various states and region and equally to cities, offices and home. A sudden demand leading to high local load and extreme prices can be compensated by borrowing and transferring power from other regions. Thus, in future smart cities, where anyone can be both a consumer and a producer, everyone can potentially contribute to the alleviation of price insensitive high demand across the network.
Summary of Chapters
1. Interpretative Flexibility: This chapter categorizes the primary social actors, specifically consumers and producers, and highlights their differing perspectives on the adoption of smart grid technologies based on economic interests.
2. Relevant Social Groups: This section identifies environmentalists and the government as key drivers for smart grid development, emphasizing their role in funding and policy support for transnational energy projects.
3. Problems and Conflicts: This chapter addresses critical concerns surrounding the technology, including potential health risks from RF exposure associated with smart meters and the significant financial burden of deployment.
4. What is the Future of Smart Grids?: This chapter outlines the ambitious plans for a European 'Super-Grid' designed to meet renewable energy targets and discusses the potential for smart grids to facilitate the widespread adoption of electrical vehicles.
Keywords
Smart-Grids, European Union, SCOT Analysis, Energy Market, VDAR IT Project, Renewable Energy, Power Consumption, Smart-Meters, Sustainability, Infrastructure, Electrical Vehicles, Socio-Technical Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper primarily investigates the 'Smart-Grid VDAR' technology and its social, economic, and technical implications within the modern power landscape.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
The central themes include the structural components of smart grids, the social construction of energy technology, economic feasibility, and future policy objectives for sustainable energy.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The objective is to analyze the Smart Grid as a technology shaped by social needs and to evaluate its potential role in balancing supply and demand in the energy market.
Which theoretical framework is applied to the technology?
The author utilizes the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory, specifically focusing on interpretative flexibility, relevant social groups, and potential problems and conflicts.
What does the main body of the paper discuss?
The main body details the VDAR IT project structure, performs a stakeholder analysis of the power market, and addresses both the advantages and the significant installation and health concerns associated with smart grid infrastructure.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Smart-Grids, European Union, SCOT Analysis, Energy Market, and Sustainability.
How does the VDAR project change the existing power market?
It transitions the market from a system based on day-ahead trade to one that integrates the physical reality of power distribution with economic models via a virtual grid.
What are the primary health concerns mentioned regarding smart meters?
The paper references studies suggesting that high-frequency RF exposure from smart meters operating between 917 MHz and 3.65 GHz may pose potential health risks to households.
What is the significance of the EU 'Super-Grid'?
The Super-Grid is a transnational project designed to link renewable energy sources across Europe to fulfill the pledge of sourcing 20% of electricity from renewables by 2020.
Why are electrical vehicles significant for the future of Smart Grids?
Smart grids are considered a necessity to accommodate the charging demands of millions of future electrical vehicles, which in turn helps reduce dependency on foreign oil.
- Quote paper
- Suryansh Pant (Author), 2014, SMART Grids: A Technology for Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/282436
