The Intelligent Grid and Renewable Integration: Technology developments, key costs and the future outlook

Table of Contents

Executive summary

• Introduction
• Intelligent grid concepts and components
• The intelligent distribution system
• Renewable technologies for the intelligent grid
• Renewable integration
• Costs
• Prospects

Chapter 1 Introduction

• Summary
• The intelligent, or "smart", grid
• Renewable integration
• Building the intelligent grid
• The structure of the report

Chapter 2 Concepts and components of the intelligent grid

• Introduction
• Smart grid components and technologies
• Advanced metering
• Phasor measurement units
• Visualization technology and agents
• Integrated communications
• Sensing and measurement technologies
• Decision support and interfaces
• Advanced control methods
• Advanced technologies and components

Chapter 3 The intelligent distribution system, mini grids and virtual power plants

• Introduction
• Micro grids
• Micro grid pilot schemes
• Micro grid commercial and regulatory issues
• Power parks
• The dc micro grid
• Virtual power plants
• The home area network

Chapter 4 Renewable technologies for the intelligent grid

• Introduction
• Distributed generation costs
• Wind power
• Solar photovoltaic power generation
• Solar thermal power generation
• Small hydropower
• Biomass
• Marine technologies
• Micro turbines and gas engines
• Fuel cells

Chapter 5 Integrating renewable energy into the intelligent grid

• Introduction
• Grid extension and strengthening
• Transmission technologies
• T&D regulatory issues
• Coping with unpredictability
• Intermittency
• Energy storage
• Plug-in hybrid cars

Chapter 6 The costs of intelligent grids and renewable integration

• Introduction
• San Diego Smart Grid study
• The cost of integrating wind generation
• Future costs

Chapter 7 Future outlook

• Introduction
• Initiatives
• Market prospects
• Conclusions

List of Figures

• Figure 4.1: Principle technologies for distributed generation and micro grids
• Figure 4.2: Generation technology installed costs ($/kW)
• Figure 4.3: Typical generating costs for distributed generating technologies ($/kWh)

List of Tables

• Table 2.1: Key intelligent grid components
• Table 2.2: Key intelligent grid-enabling technologies
• Table 3.3: Intelligent grid distribution system concepts
• Table 4.4: Generation technology installed costs ($/kW)
• Table 4.5: Typical generating costs for distributed generating technologies ($/kWh)
• Table 5.6: Energy storage technologies
• Table 6.7: Estimated costs and benefits from San Diego Smart Grid study
• Table 6.8: Wind transmission cost study details
• Table 7.9: Drivers and Resistors