Smart Grids in Asia
August 10, 2011
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. 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.
China, despite unprecedented growth of the economy and challenges in expanding infrastructure fast enough, has laid foundations to a fully modern grid. It provides an example of how to leapfrog into the future.
Asia’s spending on smart grids is expected to outpace the United States, with China alone investing $7.32 billion in the sector in 2010. China is predicted to be one of the hottest smart grid markets in the coming years given its energy needs are expected to double in 10 years, and the country’s dominant power distribution company, State Grid Corp., has a goal of building out a smart grid by 2020.
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) launched a pilot of what it called the Electricity Vending System (EVS), where selected households were able to monitor their real-time electricity consumption using smart meters. The pilot program, initiated in late 2008, involved some 1,000 households in Singapore. As well as monitoring usage, participating users were able to use the EVS to select electricity packages from a retailer of their choice. In evaluating smart grid capability, the EMA said it was taking into account vulnerability to physical and cyber attacks on the country’s smart grid system.
In September 2010 the EMA appointed Accenture to carry out a S$30 million ($22.8 million) smart energy pilot. The project, funded by the Government of Singapore and Singapore Power, has been designed to cover 4,500 residential, commercial and industrial locations, including the Nanyang Technological University campus and the CleanTech Park at Jalan Bahar. Under the first phase of the three-year Intelligent Energy System (IES) pilot, Accenture and Singapore Power are set to roll out smart meters and a communications system that will utilise Singapore’s new Next Generation Broadband Network (NGNBN). Phase two in 2012-2013 will see the pilot shift its focus to smart grid applications. The applications will include the future possibility of electric vehicles connecting to the grid, both to draw electricity from the grid and also to supply electricity to the grid during periods of peak demand.
IBC Asia will host the 3rd Annual Smart Grid Asia Summit in Singapore, 27th – 30th September 2011. There will be representation from Singapore, Malaysia, Phillippines, India, China, Vietnam, Australia, Canada, US & Japan to discuss the key drivers and opportunities for investments in renewable energy and smart grid technology, renewable energy resources, microgrids and energy efficiency are just some of the topics that will be covered. For more information: www.smartgridssummit.com
