What is a Smart Grid?

What is a Smart Grid?

At its core, a Smart Grid is an electrical network which builds upon the basis of “Smart Meters” – next generation digital meters that are used to supply energy to consumers and can measure gas or electricity usage and send that data directly to the utility provider.

The “Smart Grid” was introduced with the intention of overcoming the weaknesses of conventional electrical grids – where consumers have a lack of control and monitoring.

How is a Smart Grid used?

A Smart Grid allows for energy providers and consumers to gain more insight into how energy is used with the ability to monitor, analyze, control usage with two-way digital communication.

This helps improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption and cost, and maximize the transparency and reliability of the energy supply chain. 

Read more about nudging energy efficiency behaviour

Why are Smart Grids important?

The world is becoming more and more reliant on electricity. While the demand for power grows, the supply of it has been challenging to increase. Smart Grids have been integral in helping address this issue. The benefits of Smart Grids include:

• Revealing more detailed energy consumption, rather than monthly estimates
• Ensuring consistent power supply
• Helping consumers save money on their energy bills
• Reducing excess energy usage

Read more about ways we waste energy in our homes

Enhancing Smart Grid performance with MyHEAT’s heat loss datasets

Smart Grids are helpful for energy systems planners to get more data about the flows of electricity – where and when it’s needed, how it is being used, what capacity is available to serve the anticipated demand, and more. 

However, even smart electrical grids can sometimes struggle to keep up with demand, especially in extreme hot or cold weather, as more people turn to electricity to keep their home’s temperature comfortable. MyHEAT’s city-scale heat loss datasets can help grid and energy system planners quickly identify buildings using, and losing, the most energy. With this, they can improve energy efficiency in those buildings, and reduce electricity demand on the grid.

Learn more about MyHEAT heat and solar mapping tools