Electrical Smart Grids

The issue

The smart grid concept specifies the addition of

intelligence and two-way digital communication to the
power grid to significantly improve system reliability and
security as well as achieve real-time feedback on network
performance, outage conditions, and pricing. Energy
efficiency, power system reliability, and the environmental
impact of conventional fuel plants are all drivers for more
intelligent or smart grids.

The field research conducted by UAEU

The Department of Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of
Engineering and the Department of Networking at the Faculty of
Information Technology conducted a study on the reliability of a
wireless sensor network to provide more intelligence to Abu
Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution
Company (AADC), as a first step to smart grids. Field tests were
conducted in the UAEU University, AADC 11kV lines and
8QLYHUVLW\RI:DWHUORR+9/DE&DQDGD7KHZLUHOHVVVHQVRUV
behavior was investigated for energy management and
automation applications in Emirati houses and during impulsive
and partial discharge events in ADDC and AADC substations.

Benefit to Abu Dhabi and the Nation

The objective of this research is to develop an
automated real-time Intelligent Active Outage
Management and System Restoration (OMSR) for
smart grids. Reliability can be substantially
improved by detecting, locating, and repairing
incipient failures before an outage occurs. New
protection tools/techniques will be developed for
ADDC and AADC Smart Grids considering high
penetration of renewable energy resources and
distributed storage systems in a system that
operates with multi-directional power flow and
flexible topology.