The large-scale deployment of the smart grid (SG) paradigm could play a strategic role in
supporting the evolution of conventional electrical grids toward active, flexible and self-
healing web energy networks composed of distributed and cooperative energy resources.
From a conceptual point of view, the SG is the convergence of information and
operational technologies applied to the electric grid, providing sustainable options to
customers and improved security. Advances in research on SGs could increase the
efficiency of modern electrical power systems by: (i) supporting the massive penetration
of small-scale distributed and dispersed generators; (ii) facilitating the integration of
pervasive synchronized metering systems; (iii) improving the interaction and cooperation
between the network components; and (iv) allowing the wider deployment of self-healing
and proactive control/protection paradigms.
This book is the result of works dedicated to specific applications of
metaheuristics in smart electrical grids. From electric transmission,
distribution networks to electric microgrids, the notion of intelligence refers
to the ability to propose acceptable solutions in an increasingly more
restrictive environment. Most often, it refers to decision-making assisting
tools designed to support all human action.
Battery systems for energy storage are among the most relevant technologies of the
21 st century. They – in particular modern lithium-ion batteries (LIB) – are enablers
for the market success of electric vehicles (EV) as well as for stationary energy
storage solutions for balancing fluctuations in electricity grids resulting from the
integrationofrenewableenergysourceswithvolatilesupply 1 .BothEVandstationary
storage solutions are important because they foster the transition from the usage
of fossil energy carriers towards cleaner renewable energy sources. Furthermore,
EV cause less local air pollution and noise emissions compared to conventional
combustion engine vehicles resulting in better air quality especially in urban areas.
Unfortunately, to this day, various technological and economic challenges impede a
broad application of batteries for EV as well as for large scale energy storage and
load leveling in electricity grids.
Power Electronics is one of modern and key technologies in Electrical and
Electronics Engineering for green power, sustainable energy systems, and smart
grids. Especially, the transformation of existing electric power systems into smart
grids is currently a global trend. The gradual increase of distributed generators in
smart grids indicates a wide and important role for power electronic converters in
the electric power system, also with the increased use of power electronics devices
(nonlinear loads) and motor loadings, low cost, low-loss and high-performance
shunt current quality compensators are highly demanded by power customers to
solve current quality problems caused by those loadings.
Plug in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) use energy storages usually in the form of battery
banks that are designed to be recharged using utility grid power. One category of
PEVs are Electric Vehicles (EVs) without an internal-combustion (IC) engine
where the energy stored in the battery bank is the only source of power to drive the
vehicle. These are also referred as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The second
category of PEVs, which is more commercialized than the EVs, is the Plug in
Plug in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) use energy storages usually in the form of
battery banks that are designed to be recharged using utility grid power. One
category of PEVs are Electric Vehicles (EVs) without an Internal-Combustion
(IC) engine where the energy stored in the battery bank is the only source of
power to drive the vehicle. These are also referred to as Battery Electric Vehicles
(BEVs). The second category of PEVs, which is more commercialized than the
EVs, is the Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) where the role of energy
storage is to supplement the power produced by the IC engine.
We are very pleased to introduce the proceedings of the First EAI International
Conference on Smart Grid Inspired Future Technologies (SmartGIFT 2016). This was
the first SmartGIFT conference, aiming to create a forum for researches, developers,
and practitioners from both academia and industry to publish their key results and to
disseminate state-of-the-art concepts and techniques in all aspects of smart grids. The
37 scientific participants had many fruitful discussions and exchanges that contributed
to the success of the conference. Participants from 12 countries made the conference
truly international in scope.
n present power system, the engineers face variety of challenges in
planning, construction and operation. In some of the problems, the engineers need
to use managerial talents. In system design or upgrading the entire system into
automatic control instead of slow response of human operator, the engineers need
to exercise more technical knowledge and experience. It is principally the engi-
neer’s ability to achieve the success in all respect and provide the reliable and
uninterrupted service to the customers. This chapter covers some important areas
of the traditional power system that helps engineers to overcome the challenges. It
emphasizes the characteristics of the various components of a power system such
as generation, transmission, distribution, protection and SCADA system. During
normal operating conditions and disturbances, the acquired knowledge will pro-
vide the engineers the ability to analyse the performance of the complex system
and execute future improvement
The electrical power grid is often referred to as one of the most complex man-
made systems on Earth. Its importance to all aspects of our daily lives, economic
stability, and national security cannot be overstated, and the need for an updated,
secure, resilient, and smarter power grid infrastructure is increasingly recognized
and supported by policy makers and market forces.
One of the predominant topics in the domain of the emerging Smart Grid can be
seen in standardization. With the combination of existing protection and automa-
tion technology with upcoming ICT-based solutions, different interoperability is-
sues arise when technologies have to be combined in the infrastructure. Standards
have proven to be one of the most striking solutions to actually cope with this topic.
Since 2008, this topic has gained much attention in various political and technical
agendas.
