MEM-Sensors for smart grid applications

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The proposed research is in the area of micro-sensors for Smart Grid applications. The Smart Grid concept involves overlaying the electrical power grid with a network of 1000's of low cost sensors that are capable of communication with centralized monitoring systems. This modernization of the electricity network has several aspects and goals, including intelligent monitoring of power flow and grid infrastructure, increased reliability, reduced cost, and emergency resilience. The Smart Grid effort has several driving forces. Recent weather events (heat waves, ice storms) have demonstrated the public safety need for emergency resilience. Outages and power quality issues cost North American businesses more than $100 billion per year. Existing grid infrastructure is ever more stressed, due to increasing energy demand and increasing costs to deploy new infrastructure. Alternative energy sources are being added, with some sources such as wind and solar not having continuous delivery capability. Micro-sensor systems offer unique solutions. Their small size enables integration within grid infrastructure. Their low power, and potential power harvesting capability, make them ideal for long term operation within infrastructure, often located in remote locations 100's of km from urban centers in difficult terrain.