Smart Grid Introduction

Existing power-transmission network is one-way type that sends electric power to users from a huge power plant. If dispersive-type electric power sources like solar cells and fuel cells are supplied, electric power is also sent to households and business facilities. This causes two-way electricity transmission, so electricity becomes more difficult and complicated to manage than now.

Bob Gilligan, the vice president of GE Energy power-transmission department, says, "If information and knowledge is offered real-time, the modernization of electric infrastructure will improve". While electricity consumption in America increases every year, the aging of the infrastructure becomes serious, and there is almost no investment for the equipments. To overcome this situation, Obama administration is promoting the large investment related to Smart Grid. Smart Grid gives consumers options. That is, consumers can equalize loads by using electricity in the low-demand time zone(cheap electricity) and choose the electricity of the proper quality for them. Electric power is divided into several grades.

The Role of Storage in Smart Grid

Since the energy renewed by solar cells/fuel cells or wind power cannot cause fixed consumption, Storage minimizes the gap between electric power supply/demand. Storage keeps the renewed energy when electric power is sent to the place where the supply and demand is needed Through Smart Grid, which stores extra energy. Storage is an essential infrastructure along with Smart Meter, which has two-way communication function through power-transmission network between households and electricity company.