Smart Grid and Its Implementations

This paper describes the drivers, characteristics and major technical components of smart grid. The associated smart grid benefits, challenges and worldwide implementations are also summarized. It is emphasized that although the smart grid implementation is promising, it faces huge challenges. The migration to smart grid is a long journey when various technologies will coexist which requires thoughtful planning. Demand response and distributed renewable resource integration can serve the needs of sustainability and relieve the demand for transmission and generation capacities. While many interests and efforts have been taking on advanced transmission operations (ATO), other smart grid components as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), advanced distribution operations (ADO) and advanced asset management (AAM) should be investigated as well. Reconfigurable distribution network and integrated energy and communication system architecture (IECSA) are the foundation of future smart grid, so they should be integrated in system planning from now. Smart grid implementation will boost the developments of various technologies and wide range of industrial participants should be encouraged.