ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY
SMART CITIES
38
T he business of producing and supplying electrical power has evolved considerably during the past 30 years . During this period , utilities have undergone many disruptive developments . Throughout these changes , one thing remained the same , power flowed from the utility to the consumer . However , the convergence of a number of different technology trends is ushering in the largest disruption in the energy market since national grids arrived on the scene — the ability for power to flow in multiple directions .
ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY
The Internet of Things ( IoT ) and 4 / 5G networks enable many new devices to connect to the electricity network . These devices range from smart meters to electric vehicles , and from rooftop photovoltaic ( PV ) solar panels — typically in the range of 2 to 10 kilowatts ( kW ) — to energy storage battery solutions . Additionally , artificial intelligence ( AI ) and digital twins — a digital representation of a real-world entity or system — will make real-time models of generation and network assets possible . This will help network operators cope with a rise in the number of connected devices and the need to maintain a reliable supply .
APRIL 2019