3 ways smart grids are changing the world

While it may seem like a lofty statement, smart grid initiatives are having a profound impact on the world at large. From businesses to consumer power needs, smart grids are improving the flow and distribution of energy across nations and helping support the growth of critical infrastructure and innovations like electric vehicles and the Internet of Things.

In order to understand how the world is changing because of smart grid growth, however, we need to examine some of the specific factors at play that are influencing industry and utility operations.

Cost savings
For utility providers, smart grid initiatives are driving cost efficiency in operations. This may seem like more of a direct benefit to the company, but it allows them to focus their resources on other progressive investments, such as renewable energy sources and green tech. Furthermore, these savings can be passed on to customers to improve their lives and help better manage resources on a broad scale.

Reliability
The increased reliability of power grids has many effects on subscribers, but the biggest is the stability of the information grid in affected areas. Reduced risk of power outages along the East Coast means the server farms there can be less worried during hurricane season and more focused on growth rather than preparing from recovery efforts. Furthermore, consumers can rest easy knowing that their own service won't go down during a storm or due to demand problems.

Infrastructure growth
As smart grid investments increase, power infrastructure as a whole is updated with new cabling, serial to Ethernet converters and terminal servers which support the needs of modern consumers and business more effectively. This increases the stability of the global power infrastructure as a whole and ensures that antiquated equipment is replaced with more reliable, cost-efficient systems.

Regardless of how a utility provider wants to spend its budget, smart grid solutions can drive savings, boost profits and ensure a more stable energy industry over time, benefits that simply cannot be ignored. Smart grid deployments are becoming more popular every day, and firms want to ensure they are investing in the right solutions, both in terms of service and the hardware that supports their grid, like serial Ethernet solutions.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyberassets in substations. The IOLAN SDS HV/LDC Terminal Server is designed to meet harsh environments associated with Power Substations with attributes such as support for substation AC and DC voltage ranges, extended operating temperatures and meeting emission, immunity and safety approvals associated with substation IT equipment.