Digitalization for the power grid: what are the best solutions?

Digitalization is helping to improve safety, productivity, accessibility and sustainability of power grids around the world.

Over the coming decades, digital technologies are set to make energy systems around the world more connected, intelligent, efficient, reliable and sustainable. Stunning advances in data, analytics and connectivity are enabling a range of new digital applications such as smart appliances, shared mobility, and 3D printing. Digitalized energy systems in the future may be able to identify who needs energy and deliver it at the right time, in the right place and at the lowest cost.

In this respect, in a recent LinkedIn poll we asked our followers what is the crucial advantage that digitalization can bring to managing the grid. The respondents were required to choose between four options. The audience that took part in the poll was made of mostly electrical engineers and energy consultants, although several company’s CEOs partook in it as well. The results showcase how improving the data monitoring (42%) and better controlling power flows (32%) were seen as the best ways in which digitalization can interact with the grid. In this respect, as explained by Gianluca Marini (Executive Vice President Consulting Division – CESI) has stated that, indeed, 5G technology can help to improve the monitoring of big data (through sensors) and to control power flows (thanks to real-time operativity), when speaking to the webinar organized by CESI and Elettricità Futura on 5G and advanced connectivity for the energy sector.

However, minimizing outages and enhancing connectivity (which were voted, respectively, by 18% and 8% of the respondents) are equally as effective as solutions.

In fact, in the article “The New Normal of Smart Energy” from the latest issue of CESI’s Energy Journal, we explained that innovative IoT solutions are driving the efficient and sustainable management of smart energy that includes smart grids, smart metering, smart building, and smart homes with automated illumination, air conditioning, and security systems.

You can now read the full issue of EJ 19 at this link.