The Smart Grid and its Eects on Utilities, Consumers and Energy Storage

Abstract

U.S. electrical utilities have started a major renovation of the electrical grid infrastructure tointegrate IT technology to the existing grid, creating a Smart Grid. Until this recent conversion, theelectric grid has remained relatively unchanged for over 100 years.As the Smart Grid is installed,there will be benets such as higher reliability, increased system eciency and the integration of newgreener technology. Energy storage technology could have the opportunity to provide relief on thegrid, especially during peaks of demand. However, the smart grid is not without its opponents due toconcerns of public health, cost and privacy.The purpose of this paper is to explore the conversion ofthe existing grid infrastructure to a Smart Grid and how it will aect electricity consumers, utilitiesand the integration of energy storage technology on the grid.