Exploring Cloud-Based Smart Grid Solutions for Energy Distribution: Efficiency and Reliability

 The term smart grid has become a term to represent the benefits of a smart and sophisticated electrical grid, which can meet various social expectations related to sustainability and energy efficiency. The Smart Grid promises to enable better power management for energy utilities and consumers, to provide the ability to integrate the power grid, to support the development of microgrids, and to involve citizens in energy management with higher levels of responsibility. However, this context comes with potential pitfalls, such as vulnerabilities to cybersecurity and privacy risks.

Electric energy is essential to increase productivity and ensure a high quality of life; therefore, the relationship between electric power and economic growth is crucial. However, the consequence of the current worldwide economic growth and electricity demand is the depletion of energy resources. An essential and effective way to prevent the depletion of resources and promote economic growth at the same time is the application of the concept of energy efficiency through energy management systems. This is the basic principle of the Smart Grid. 

With the development of the smart grid, especially in the distribution grid, and with the possibility of load modeling, control over the peaks of energy demand becomes vital. The peaks of demand are serious problems and present themselves in the electrical system. Demand management in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors can play an important role in reducing peak demand, stress, overhead transmission, and distribution lines. In many countries, there are various demand response programs implemented for industrial and commercial loads. 

Peak demand for energy has caused adverse effects on the reliability and stability of the power system during recent decades. Reducing peak demand can reduce the risk of faults in the transmission and distribution grid and, consequently, the risk of interruptions. Demand response is one way to deal with peak events and avoid overload on the grid by providing the necessary flexibility through load displacement. 

Multiple energy management systems use the concepts of demand response; however, these DR systems are not broadly implemented due to the complexity of the automation involved, particularly in industrial and commercial buildings. Although the residential sector is responsible for a significant amount of electrical energy demand, few DR programs are currently used in the residential field. Direct Load Control (DLC) is the method most used by energy utilities in Brazil to manage peak demand in the residential sector, where consumer loads are adjusted in time during peak network events.

An energy management system that can automatically switch the operation of appliances during peak hours can be used to manage peak demand without compromising the quality of supply to the consumer.

Recognizing the very different perspectives and priorities of individuals and organizations involved in the electrical system, the authors propose a broad analysis through a prospective study to examine the different ways for the smart grid to meet the demands and developments of society. This study focuses on comparing the development of “Smart Grid” in different regions of the world and demonstrating the commitment of these countries to changing social and political contexts and expectations, which are often shaped by specific regions, goals, and available resources.