Information Use in the Operations of the Smart Grid

智能电网是整个电力供应链中信息技术（IT）基础设施的集成。它从连接到智能电表的智能设备（HVAC、家用电器）开始，智能电表提供基于 IT 的连续功耗测量和来自客户的其他数据，并转发给分销商。分销商动态调整发电和输电基础设施的电力需求。关键是电力无法经济地储存，使电力供应链成为无库存的即时系统，基于 IT 的协调可以产生重大影响。*****本拟议研究分三个阶段研究智能电网： ******第一阶段是对客户对智能电网计量技术的开发和采用以及电力供应链所需的 IT 基础设施转换进行建模。只有高水平的技术采用和转换才能获得智能电网的运营效益。因此，通过智能电网，电力供应链可以实现发电和用电信息的实时可视化，允许所有供应链梯队根据供需动态调整运营，并具有对性能下降和峰值做出反应的监控能力。******第二阶段是利用智能电网提供的增强信息确定可用于平衡整个电网负载的方法。这被称为“需求响应”，即客户根据差异价格减少或转移高峰时段的部分电力需求。 我们将延长这一阶段来研究智能电网对长期电力供应链容量的影响。这一点至关重要，因为满足高峰需求所需的额外发电（发电厂）和输电（高压线路）电力基础设施非常昂贵。 ******第三阶段是研究分散式发电的运营影响。随着可再生能源和本地发电变得更加高效，客户可以供应和消耗电力。智能电网的一个深刻特征是IT支持双向计量，动态地扭转电力供应链的方向。人们对客户向电网提供本地发电的后果知之甚少，并且涉及集中式和分散式决策之间的权衡。 ******这项研究的结果将有助于丰富信息系统、供应链管理和智能电网实际环境方面的知识。这一设置代表了利用 IT 提高能源效率的机会，可以使所有加拿大人受益。

The smart grid is the integration of the information technology (IT) infrastructure across the electric power supply chain. It starts with smart appliances (HVAC, home appliances) connected to smart meters that provide IT-based continuous power consumption measurement and other data from customers, relayed to distributors. Distributors dynamically adjust their power requirements from the generation and transmission infrastructure. Critical is that electricity cannot be stored economically, making the electric power supply chain a no-inventory just-in-time system where IT-based coordination can have a substantial impact.******This proposed research studies the smart grid in three stages: ******The first stage is to model the development and adoption of the smart grid metering technology by customers as well as the IT infrastructure conversion required through the electric power supply chain. The operational benefits of the smart grid can only be obtained if there is a high level of technology adoption and conversion. Consequently, with a smart grid the electric power supply chain can implement real-time visibility of power generation and use information, allow all supply chain echelons to adjust operations dynamically to supply and demand, and have the monitoring capability to react to performance dips and spikes.******The second stage is to determine methods that can be used to balance load across the power grid with the enhanced information provided by the smart grid. This is called "demand response" where customers reduce or shift some of their electricity demand from peak periods in response to differential prices. We will extend this stage to examine the impact of the smart grid on longer-term electric power supply chain capacity. This is critical because additional electric power infrastructure for generation (power plants) and transmission (high voltage lines) needed to satisfy peak demand is expensive. ******The third stage is to study the operational implications of decentralized electric power generation. As renewable and local power generation become more efficient, customers can supply and consume power. A deep feature of the smart grid is the IT support for metering in both directions, dynamically reversing the orientation of the electric power supply chain. The consequences of customers providing locally generated electricity to the power grid are poorly understood, and involve tradeoffs between centralized and decentralized decisions. ******The results from this research will contribute to knowledge in information systems, in supply chain management, and in the practical setting of the smart grid. This setting represents an opportunity to improve energy efficiency with IT that can benefit all Canadians.