ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS PROVIDED BY THE TRANSFORMATION OF A CONVENTIONAL NETWORK IN SMART GRID: CASE STUDY IN A POWER CONCESSIONAIRE IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

This article examines the concept of Intelligent Energy Networks - Smart Grids. In Brazil, this concept is still in its embryonic emerging stage as an innovative concept for electricity distribution networks, which not only conduct electricity, but can also offer customers and electric utilities a wide range of new benefits. In countries such as Germany, China, the United States, Finland, France, India, Italy and in the United Kingdom, Smart Grids have been a reality for a few years already at different stages of use. To contribute in this context, the objective of this article is to analyze the effects provided by the transformation of a conventional power grid into a Smart Grid type, considering the current scenario of electric power grids that comprise the electrical installations and service areas provided by the electric utility studied in this article. In order to achieve the proposed objective, a case study was carried out in an electric utility in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is currently beginning the process of transforming from its conventional networks to the Smart Grids type networks. Among the main results observed in this study, it can be pointed out that the process for this transformation demands a long-term operation as well as the direct involvement of several interlinked areas of knowledge that result in the Smart Grid technology. It was also observed that this process implies significant costs as well as a long period of time required for the total adequacy of the installations.