Detection of Energy Theft in Overhead Low-Voltage Power Grids – The Hook Style Energy Theft in the Smart Grid Era

This paper investigates the possibility of detecting the hook style energy theft in the overhead low-voltage (OV LV) power grids when the smart grid conveniences are available. On the basis of the broadband over power lines (BPL) technology and the proposed method of the detection of the hook style energy theft (HS-DET method), a plethora of different scenarios concerning the hook style energy theft is considered so that the performance of HS-DET method can be assessed. The impact of OV LV BPL topologies, hook characteristics and measurement differences on the performance of HS-DET method is mainly assessed through appropriate metrics, such as derivative metrics of percent error sum (PES). Finally, appropriate contour plots against the hook style energy theft are proposed revealing the efficiency of HS-DET method against any relevant threat in any conditions.Citiation: Lazaropoulos, A. G. (2019). Detection of Energy Theft in Overhead Low-Voltage Power Grids – The Hook Style Energy Theft in the Smart Grid Era. Trends in Renewable Energy, 5(1), 12-46. DOI: 10.17737/tre.2019.5.1.008

Smart meter data: balancing consumer privacy concerns with legitimate applications

Smart meters are being rolled out in large numbers throughout the world, with proponents claiming they are a critical step in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Yet there are significant unresolved negative reactions to smart meters, principally based on the concern that smart meters might be used to infer the private activities that occur within a dwelling. Though smart meter data is classified as personal data, and as such protected under existing data protection frameworks in the EU, there are relevant exceptions, notably where the data is required for legitimate applications associated with the performance of 'regulated duties'. This paper contributes to this debate by examining the data requirements for some of the proposed applications of smart meter data within the electricity supply industry, and investigates whether the use of personal data can be minimized or even avoided. The discussion includes system balancing, demand reduction, demand response and distribution network operation and planning, and indicates that, for most of these applications, the requirements for personal data can indeed be minimized. 'Privacy friendly' alternatives are discussed

Standards and Related Intellectual Property Issues for Climate Change Technology

Almost every product sold today must conform to standards, whether relating to its design, manufacture, operation, testing, safety, sale or disposal, and sometimes to many of these at once. At their root, standards are no more than written requirements or design features of a product, service or other activity. They can be breathtakingly detailed or disarmingly general, ranging from thousands of pages in length to just a few sentences. Standards are set by a wide range of bodies, from governmental agencies to industry consortia to multinational treaty organizations. Some standards are adopted into local, state or federal legislation and attain the force of law, others remain voluntary, yet are adopted by entire industries. This chapter provides a brief overview of the standards development landscape as it pertains to climate change technologies, also sometimes referred to as clean tech , green tech and sustainability technologies, as well as the critical intellectual property issues that affect standards setting today