Intelligent storage leading smart grid adoption growth

Smart grids are becoming more viable and substantial for utilities across the globe due to improvements in intelligent storage and distributed systems. These enhancements, being themselves driven by increased investments into solar, are influencing change in the energy industry while promoting better utility models.

A recent report from PricewaterhouseCoopers focused on the solar trend, indicating that it is influencing business decision models across the industry and, potentially, setting a deadline for utilities to adapt to renewable power generation. According to Greentech Media, advancing energy storage technologies may be the answer that providers are looking for to properly leverage solar and other new trends.

"Storage offers much more than just energy capacity; it also is a possible provider of ancillary services such as frequency regulation and is often used as a major factor in demand response programs," Omar Saadeh, senior grid analyst with GTM Research, noted.

In order for providers to continue offering competitive service with reliable, clean power at the forefront of those offerings, it is critical to get a firm grasp on delivery, distribution and storage. Accomplishing this will require significant focus on smart grid solutions, including the terminal servers and serial to Ethernet converters that will allow simplified transmission of data and communication across the network itself.

New York is just one state increasing its investments into improving distributed systems and intelligent storage for its smart grid efforts. According to GTM, the focus is on restructuring the state's utility industry to be more consumer focused while integrating renewable, cleaner resources.

"The existing ratemaking structure falls far short of the pace of technology development that defines many parts of our economy," said Audrey Zibelman, chair of the New York Public Service Commission, according to the report. "By fundamentally restructuring the way utilities and energy companies sell electricity, New York can maximize the utilization of resources, and reduce the need for new infrastructure through expanded demand management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed generation and energy storage programs."

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.