6th Annual Transmission & Distribution Smart Grids Asia
17 – 18 January 2012
Bangkok
Many governments across Asia have been starting to explore smart grid technology, while being cautious over security risks associated with new infrastructure. The region is still in the early stages of smart grid development, but we can expect a number of new pilot projects to be initiated in Asia over the coming year or so. Among interested vendors, Cisco has been particularly active in the smart grid space and has been working with a number of administrations in the region. There will certainly be a focus on managing security risks. Issues of authentication, authorisation, integrity, confidentiality and threat prevention will all no doubt receive attention in testing the security of smart grids.
It is also noted that, with the ITU playing a significant leadership role in the ICT sector in Asia, the recent move by the agency to introduce a smart grid standards initiative could be a significant event in the region. In May 2010 a number of the world’s biggest ICT companies tasked a new ITU group with identifying standards needed for the world’s new smart grid deployments. The ITU was asked by key CTOs to accelerate work in the area of smart grids at a meeting of high level industry executives in Geneva in October 2009. Agreement between a wider set of ITU members to push forward work in this area was reached in January 2010 when the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) met.
Smart grids – Anhui Province
The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is the world’s largest utility company. In the Anhui Province an intelligent grid system using BPL and narrowband PLC technology, enables SGCC to monitor residential units within multi-dwelling properties. Transfer rates of up to 200Mb/s and advanced Quality of Service (QoS) provide the bandwidth and reliability required to enable and manage an entire utility grid network.
SGCC monitors the grid in real time, allowing it to assess power quality, current flows and power fluctuations continuously. Data from each home is transmitted over power lines to the nearest substation. SGCC collects data at points throughout the grid and brings it back to a central point for monitoring and analysis. In addition, the network provides enough bandwidth to stream IP-based video from the substation security cameras as well as deliver high-speed Internet access to residents.
In China, line loss from generation to the end user is typically about 15-20%, compared to 7-10% in North America. The intelligent grid allows SGCC to reduce energy loss by 5-10% which provides substantial benefits to the company in terms of cost saving and customer service.
Southeast Asian utilities have budgeted millions of dollars in their T&D operations to ensuring reliable, secure and efficient supply while laying the foundations for a future-proof power system.
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is spending USD80m for 230 projects, which include the construction of substations and cable-laying in Penang this year. The amount includes five important projects which cost USD18m for main distribution substations, cables, and switch replacement works in the north-east district of the island. “All the 230 projects, aimed at enhancing the flexibility of distribution and supply of power to customers, are scheduled for completion in one to two years. Next year, TNB will spend another USD67m for 120 similar projects.
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) will invest USD13b to create its smart-grid system for a nationwide intelligent power network over the next 15 years. The PEA smart grid project is aimed at modernising its power-transmission system by deploying information and communications technology to support the distribution of electricity to households.
It is evident that utilities in the region are actively striving for a modern power system. What are their specific plans moving forward? How can they achieve this? What hurdles might they face and how best can they overcome them?
Clarion Events will host the 6th Annual Transmission & Distribution Smart Grids Asia 17-18, January 2012, Bangkok and will help in answering those questions. It is an all-encompassing event with the latest industry knowledge and developments. For more information see: http://td-asia.com/Default/Home_7654.aspx
