Smart grids for grid reliability – ESI-Africa.com

The Role of Smart Grids in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

The deployment of smart grid technology is a critical enabler for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By integrating advanced analytics and data-driven intelligence into energy networks, smart grids directly contribute to building resilient infrastructure, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy, and fostering sustainable industrialization.

Core Benefits and Alignment with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

According to Satyajit Dwivedi, Regional Director at SAS Institute, the primary benefits of smart grids are improved operational efficiency and enhanced grid reliability. These advancements are fundamental to realizing the objectives of SDG 7.

Enhanced Grid Reliability and Energy Access

• Smart grids improve the stability of energy supply, which is essential for meeting SDG Target 7.1 on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
• By minimizing outages and managing grid stress, they provide the consistent power necessary for economic development and social well-being.

Optimised Demand and Supply Management for Clean Energy Integration

• The integration of smart meters and big data allows for sophisticated demand management, forecasting, and supply-side balancing.
• This capability is crucial for integrating variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind, directly supporting SDG Target 7.2, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Accurate demand forecasting identifies peak load periods, enabling better planning and control, thus reducing energy waste and promoting efficiency.

Leveraging Technology for SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Smart grids represent a significant technological leap forward, aligning with the call in SDG 9 to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Data-Driven Intelligence for Modern Infrastructure

The vast amount of data collected from an integrated smart grid network is processed by advanced solutions to provide actionable intelligence. This modernizes energy infrastructure in line with SDG Target 9.1.

1. Demand Forecasting: Critical for both network planning and real-time control.
2. Grid Management: Spans a wide range of transmission and distribution functions.
3. Asset Management: Optimizes the performance and lifespan of grid components.

Advanced Analytics for Bidirectional Energy Flow

The use of Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics is key to managing the bidirectional flow of energy characteristic of modern grids with distributed energy resources. This innovation supports SDG Target 9.4 by upgrading infrastructure to make it more sustainable and efficient.

Addressing Challenges to Achieve Sustainable Energy Systems

The transition to smart grids is not without obstacles. Addressing these challenges is vital for utilities in Africa and globally to unlock the full potential of this technology for sustainable development.

Overcoming Barriers to Implementation

Utilities face several significant challenges that require strategic planning and investment:

• Interoperability: Ensuring new and old systems can communicate effectively.
• Skills Gaps: The need to develop a workforce with expertise in data analytics and modern grid technologies, which relates to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Investment: Securing the necessary capital for grid modernization projects.

The Need for Tailored Solutions and Capacity Building

Regional differences necessitate customized solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This highlights the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing collaboration between technology providers, governments, and local utilities to build local capacity and implement appropriate smart grid strategies that address specific regional needs and contribute effectively to the global sustainability agenda.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the modernization of energy grids through smart technology to improve efficiency and reliability, which is fundamental to ensuring access to modern energy services.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The text discusses upgrading energy infrastructure using innovative technologies like smart meters, big data, and AI. This directly relates to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article mentions challenges such as skills gaps and the need for investment and capacity building, particularly in the context of regional differences in Africa. This highlights the necessity for partnerships and international cooperation to transfer technology and build local capabilities.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article’s focus on using smart grids to ensure “grid reliability” directly supports this target.
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The text explicitly states that a benefit of smart grids is “improved operational efficiency.”
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article points to the need for “investment in modernisation” of grid infrastructure.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The implementation of smart grids as described is a direct effort to improve the quality and reliability of energy infrastructure.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency. The article’s discussion of using “advanced analytics and AI” to manage the grid and improve “operational efficiency” aligns with this target of upgrading infrastructure for sustainability.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals. The article identifies “skills gaps” and the need for “capacity building” in Africa as key challenges, implying the need for such support.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Implied Indicators for SDG 7

   • Grid Reliability Metrics: The article repeatedly mentions “grid reliability” as a key outcome. Progress could be measured by tracking the frequency and duration of power outages, which relates to Indicator 7.1.1 (Proportion of population with access to electricity).
   • Operational Efficiency Gains: The text highlights “improved operational efficiency.” This can be measured by tracking reductions in transmission and distribution losses or improvements in energy intensity, aligning with the goal of Indicator 7.3.1 (Energy intensity).
   • Demand Forecasting Accuracy: The article emphasizes that “demand forecasting becomes extremely critical.” An implied indicator is the accuracy of these forecasts, which helps in managing supply and demand efficiently.

2. Implied Indicators for SDG 9

   • Investment in Modernization: The article points to the need for “investment in modernisation.” An indicator would be the total financial investment (public and private) in smart grid technology and infrastructure upgrades.

3. Implied Indicators for SDG 17

   • Reduction in Skills Gaps: The identification of “skills gaps” implies that progress can be measured by the number of trained professionals in smart grid management and data analytics, or the implementation of training programs for capacity building.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: esi-africa.com