The country's grid electricity is often found to be responsible for unwarranted power disruptions. It has been due to the fact that the existing grid is susceptible to such disruptions when power generation reaches close to 16,000MW. Bangladesh has, so far, generated a maximum of 15,648 MW on April 19, 2023. That is to say, in order to avoid any disorder in power transmission, the grid should not be fed with capacity power generation.
While referring to this built-in problem of the existing grid, state minister Nasrul Hamid made reference to introduction of smart grid as a measure to do away with power cuts, prolonged at times, that seriously affect industrial productivity and household needs. Different sorts of problems arise in the grid as a consequence, he told a workshop on the "Smart Grid Experience Day'' at Biddyut Bhaban in the city. The Boston Consultant Group (BCG) organised the workshop in association with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Speaking on the occasion, the state minister for the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) said a smart grid would help solve the grid problem and increase its efficiency. He also stressed the need for synchronising electricity that is being generated from different energy sources.
Currently, Bangladesh is trying to resolve grid-related problems with whatever technology it is able to employ, but the developed countries do it through smart grid, the state minister said. Four international companies --- General Electric (GE), Microsoft, IBM and Oracle --- presented four separate presentations on the 'Art of the Possibility for a Smart Grid Innovation' during the event.
Now what actually is smart grid? In plain terms it is a highly advanced technology whereby modernisation of electric transmission and distribution system is made to maintain a reliable and secure electricity infrastructure. Usually, a smart grid is an electricity network that can cost-efficiently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users connected to it in order to ensure economically efficient, sustainable power system with negligible losses and high levels of quality and security of supply and safety. A smart grid employs innovative products and services together with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies. A smart grid is usually charactrised by increased use of digital information and control technology to improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid; optimistion of grid operations and resources with full cyber-security; deployment and integration of distributed resources and generation including renewable resources; development and incorporation of demand response, demand-side resources, and energy-efficiency resources. There are more to the technology, such as integration of 'smart' appliances and consumer devices, and deployment and integration of advanced electricity storage and peak-shaving technologies. Electronic power conditioning and control of the production and distribution of electricity are important aspects of the smart grid. Roll-out of smart grid technology also implies a fundamental re-engineering of the electricity services industry, whereas typical usage of the term is focused on the technical infrastructure.
Advanced countries, with the USA and countries of the EU at the forefront, are great beneficiaries of smart grid allowing them uninterrupted power transmission while also taking care of electronic power conditioning and control of the production and distribution of electricity.
Given the advanced technology and massive investment involved, grid electricity does not seem to be within our reach in the near future. However, aspiring to reengineer the country's existing grid will no doubt provide the scope for preparing for the state of the art technology.
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