Developing Thought Leadership in the Power and Energy Industry: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thought leadership articles are best written by competent domain experts with knowledge of the market, drivers, regulations, economics, technologies, competition, etc. People like to read content that is built on a strong foundation. The best way to illustrate how thought leadership articles are written is to demonstrate an actual use case that explains how an innovative transformer design is communicated to the market based on strong market data, an assessment of market opportunity gaps, and how a perceived solution can techno-economically fill this niche.
Use Case
Innovative Transformer Design Enables Future Smart Cities
(The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance and design features of a “smart” transformer used in conjunction with a smart grid)
Introduction
The conventional station utility model for many years has relied on the combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity. At the macro level, electricity is generated at centralized locations by various power generation and distribution system technologies, fed through substations and transformers into a web of high-voltage transmission lines that typically crisscross regions or nations only to arrive at remote substations before low-voltage distribution to consumers. The central station paradigm of producing electricity by large-scale utility plants located near fuel sources, moving electricity to the location of the demand via wires, and distributing the electricity to individual consumers has been the model of utility operation for over a century. Power flows in one direction, from centralized generators, through transmission lines, and to customers through a substation and distribution system.
The ongoing energy transition requires rethinking the central station paradigm.
By 2050, 68% of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas
The Smart Grid approach will deliver a more sustainable urban future (i.e., smaller carbon footprint, lower overall emissions, improved electricity delivery efficiency) than the central station approach.
What is a Smart Grid?
What makes a grid smart is using digital technologies that enable two-way communication between the utility and its customers and the sensing along the transmission lines.
A Smart Grid uses hybrid energy systems in which renewable energy production, storage, and consumption can flow “freely” between buildings, power grids, heat networks, and consumers, particularly consumer behind-the-meter generators, such as rooftop solar. Further, the flow of electricity may be optimized to reduce carbon emissions.
The sources of electricity are largely renewable, although other localized generation resources may be used. Electricity demand includes public transportation systems, electric vehicles, and charging technologies.
·Current grid operators typically receive grid disturbance data every 30 seconds or more through antiquated SCADA systems making it impossible to react fast enough to stop cascading load losses.
·A Smart Grid uses digital technology to be self-aware of system upsets and can reconfigure itself to resolve many problems without operator interaction.
What is a Smart Transformer?
Comprehensive, real-time data allow monitoring of electricity usage and optimizing many potential generation resources. The Internet of Things (IoT) enables advanced metering infrastructure, distribution automation, voltage optimization, and substation automation. The reliable operation also requires multiple, high-data-rate, two-way communications links among all these nodes.
·IoT sensors allow for gathering real-time usage information, better incorporating embedded renewable energy generation into the grid, and isolating system interruptions before they spread.
Increased communication networks throughout distribution and transmission systems will improve overall system intelligence, allowing for better incorporation of demand-response programs. This lets customers track energy availability and pricing to make real-time consumption decisions.
·Networked sensors on transformers let utilities track equipment performance and better anticipate failures, reducing outages and repair costs.
Company X Smart Transformers Enable the Smart Grid
·Smart transformers regulate voltage and distribute power but are also synced up via the internet to offer more nuanced controls, automation support, and remote access.
·Smart transformers in an electrical distribution system can provide various benefits, such as higher operating efficiency, accelerated fault sensing and management, advanced distribution automation, and two-way communication with substation transformers for real-time condition monitoring.
·Accelerated use of electric vehicles that will be connected to the grid to charge batteries with the ability of a Smart Grid to determine charging times and rates, plus the ability to reverse flow from electric vehicle batteries back to the grid when required.
·Smart transformer designs for Smart Grid applications must include the following:
Remote access and controls, particularly digital connections, allow operators to confirm the status and fix identified issues remotely
Improved power services, such as when a transformer fails, smart transformers can take over the operation and compensate automatically, thereby improving grid reliability
Enhanced energy security when integrated into a Smart Grid
Others?
Conclusions
K&A is a specialized marketing firm with thought leaders, energy industry content writers, energy economists, former business editors, energy industry branding specialists and digital marketers who can help you avoid common mistakes and build a powerful and compelling narrative.
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