University of Canterbury. Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abstract
The following report examines the Smart Grid in the context of New Zealand. It begins by developing a definition for what the Smart Grid actually by looking at various international organisations views. Defining the Smart Grid as a modernisation of the existing system to improve efficiency and reliability and that it will be a gradual process of time that has already begun.
The report then goes on to look at Smart Grid progress around the world. It examines work in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. By examining the government policies around Smart Grids and the various pilot projects that have been implemented globally, a better understanding the progress New Zealand has made can be achieved. A major point that has been noted in this work is the shear size of the investment and resources that have already used in the Smart Grid arena.
The next section of the report looks at international standards development. The focus is on work carried out by the International Electrotechnical Commission the National Institute of Standards and Technology in North America. Both these organisations have developed a Smart Grid standards roadmap outlining a number of current standards applicable to Smart Grids, identifying the gaps in the standards portfolio and developing plans to address those shortcomings.
The report then goes on to examine current Smart Grid progress in the New Zealand context. The various different sectors in the New Zealand electricity industry are examined individually including government, generation, transmission, distribution and retail. The findings show there is already good progress in Smart Grid related goals such as renewable energy generation and peak load management. However, there is still some work needed for aspects such as AMI standardisation.
The report then finishes with a discussion and concluding remarks