Smart Energy Resources: Supply and Demand

Smart Energy Resources is the term used to define the new set of resources available to utilities to balance the supply-demand equation-renewable generation, energy storage, and consumer demand management. This chapter examines the potential impact of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) on the existing grid, describes methods of using smart grid technologies to alleviate foreseen problems, and investigates potential opportunities to enhance the performance of the electric grid using PEVs. Utilities and grid operators have assumed complete responsibility for meeting consumer demand, regardless of the pattern of the demand or how much it costs to provide the electricity. Due to the geographic location of renewable resources, much of the expected new renewable generation additions will be connected via one or two utility's transmission systems. The main obstacle to non-fossil resources (excluding nuclear that has its own challenges) is the intermittency of renewable generation, which limits the amount that can be integrated and compels system operators to schedule/dispatch expensive reserve units.