Efficiency evolution in smart grids

The role of smart grids in a smart city network.

What is the smart grids landscape like in the Middle East at the moment – are they being adopted swiftly?
Here in the Middle East we are at the heart of the energy challenges facing countries globally - demand for electrical power is expected to reach 112 per cent (of current levels) by 2030.

Urbanisation, industrialisation, lifestyle changes coupled with limited regulation are just some of the issues faced. Over the next 30 years the population in the Middle East is expected to increase by 39 per cent creating an additional 67 per cent of CO2 emissions.

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There is a real need to balance economic and social advancements with sustainable living in a cleaner environment, and this is where we can play a major role in helping utilities with smart grid solutions that are designed to make the existing electrical infrastructure more efficient, and allow more consumer engagement while creating high end greener jobs for the region.

For example, smart metering, distribution automation, demand management and microgrid applications in addition to grid-wide visualisation and control that will enable reliable grid interconnectivity are among the top priorities of regional distribution and transmission companies.

What are the current barriers to smart grids in the Middle East?
The tremendous growth in infrastructure will place enormous constraints on the existing grids and although this has slowed in the last couple of years for obvious reasons, the demand for energy is still exceeding the rate of supply.

Averages of six to seven per cent annual energy demand growth are a reality that utilities in the region need to deal with.

Supply-side management, i.e. building more fossil fuelled power plants and more transmission and distribution substations, takes time and even more capital to complete; two things that all utilities and governments across the region are struggling to balance.

Smart grid solutions provide real opportunities to balance this equation from the demand side. This however, requires regulations to be introduced such as those dealing with time-of-use tariffs, CO2 emission levels and consumer empowerment measures and education. Such matters are being seriously discussed and considered in a number of countries today.

What are the main benefits Smart Grids will bring to the Middle East region?
The Middle East needs a smarter grid – one that will enhance the reliability of the expanding grid, increase efficiency of grid operation by reducing technical and nontechnical losses, empower consumers to make informed decisions on energy usage.

They will also increase productivity of the workforce and reduce emissions by allowing higher levels of renewable penetration and electric vehicle adoption.