The coronavirus outbreak is a human tradgedy affecting directly millions and through its complications to society and economy - billions of people.
Fortunately, in the last few weeks, we have seen a trend that is promising . The opportunity has been made possbile thanks to key facilities and companies that have held up fort during this period and are continuing to do their part every day. Our hearts and gratitude goes to the the medical workers, police, dentists, shop keepers and others who have been at the forefront of the pandemic.
There is another entity that has been operating in the background rather unnoticed and it is an importan one, as it has helped us who have been less affected to keep as much of the quality of life as possible. I am talking of course about the the electricity grid. Without the transport of electricity, hospitals would a have tough time operating, communication services would be offline and no Zoom parties would take place.
We asked our Advisory Board members Mr. Jaanus Tiisvend, CEO of the Estonias largest DSO Elektrilevi and Kalle Kilk, CTO of the Estonian TSO Elering - how have the spring storms and CoVid-19 affected operation of the grid?
Both of them have stated that appart from a few health and safety measurements, the everyday operation of the grids have been completely unafected.
This is due to the fact that they have priorly invested into upgrading the smartness aspect of assets and have developed processes that provide good maintenance planning through prediction of faults and consumption at a very local level. People need not be at the office and IT systems provide enough commication and problem localisation between partner companies and clients.
What makes a grid smart is not only a matter of automatisation and investing into IT but an executive level understanding of the possibilities which come with it in order to maximies efficiency of grid operation, come what may.
Only automatisation and no realisation of the opportunities makes a grid still rather “dumb grid”.
SMAGRINET has also been able to fulfill their tasks at a distance. Our success with academic programs and soon to come short-term learning continuing learning programs are all cover in the following articles. In addition, our members will cover pits of smart grid implementation.
Enjoy your read, stay and be safe!
