Smart Meter Infrastructure for Distributed Renewable Power

Introduction

Sustainable energy solutions are being sought worldwide due to climate change and fossil fuel depletion. To address this need for cleaner, greener energy, distributed renewable power sources including solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and micro-hydro systems seem promising. These renewable sources are intermittent and decentralised, which threatens the electricity system.Distributed renewable electricity requires a sophisticated and adaptive monitoring and management system. “Smart Meter Infrastructure for Distributed Renewable Power” applies here. Smart meters with superior connectivity and data analytics may simplify local renewable energy integration. This infrastructure allows utility providers and prosumers (producer-consumers) to share real-time data. Smart meters at both consumer and producer ends allow the system to properly assess energy production and consumption trends and instantly report them to utility suppliers (Vojdani, 2008). Smart meters help users understand their energy consumption via bidirectional communication. Users may optimise power use and save money by using real-time data and energy consumption insights. The infrastructure also helps utilities dynamically manage grid conditions and balance supply and demand, particularly during high load times. This chapter discusses smart meters, data aggregation platforms, analytics tools, and grid management software. This infrastructure improves grid dependability, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and allows local energy trade and markets.The Smart Meter Infrastructure for Distributed Renewable Power is an innovative and adaptable way to integrate renewable energy into the power grid (Hart, 2008). This technology helps create a more sustainable and resilient energy future by giving customers and utilities real-time data and insights.In household technology's primary/first phase, electricity distribution mostly depended on traditional power meters. These meters are crucial in determining how much electrical energy a household uses. The application of these meters has, at a slow pace, been decreasing due to the modernization in the technology as there is a fast change that has been bought into action to come across the difficulties/issues faced due to the conventional meters. The prime problem is when residents are ignorant of their day-to-day activities. The month-to-month report provided to the customers is not abundant as the customers are unaware of how much electricity a particular device/machine uses (Chebbo, 2007; Cleveland, 2008; Depuru et al., 2010). To get better of the issues of conventional electricity meters, Smart meters are developed. Smart meter statistics provide energy vigilance to customers based on energy use in one hour. The Smart Meters' main aim is to lessen energy usage in households. In this thesis, real-time Smart Meter information prevailed from a Swedish electricity company. A case study is carried out on the calculation of data based on hours of 16 households to decide utilization manner. With its increased awareness in the market, the way of acting of the customers can be studied and calculated. The energy utilization manner can be the courage to make the customers act better. The electricity market can be re-engineered by putting in these new Smart meters, as it prevents energy and lessens carbon dioxide emissions (Das, 2009; Huczala et al., 2006; Koay et al., 2003; Lee & Lai, 2009; Son et al., 2010). Trust and reputation of these meters are accepted only when the customers have a very good and positive experience. Well-timed utilization of customers can be lowered as Smart Meters are associated with the online billing system. Table 1 provides a brief comparative overview of conventional meters and smart meters across various features, highlighting the advancements and benefits associated with smart meter technology. Keep in mind that the specifics may vary based on the exact model and technology implemented in different contexts.