Information Use in the Operations of the Smart Grid

智能电网是整个电力供应链的信息技术（IT）基础设施的集成。它从连接到智能仪表的智能电器（HVAC，家用电器）开始，智能仪表提供基于IT的连续功耗测量和来自客户的其他数据，并中继到分销商。分销商动态地调整他们对发电和输电基础设施的电力需求。关键是，电力不能经济地储存，这使得电力供应链成为一个无库存的准时制系统，在这个系统中，基于IT的协调可以产生重大影响。本研究分三个阶段对智能电网进行研究：** 第一阶段是对客户开发和采用智能电网计量技术以及电力供应链所需的IT基础设施转换进行建模。智能电网的运营效益只有在高水平的技术采用和转换的情况下才能获得。因此，通过智能电网，电力供应链可以实现发电和使用信息的实时可见性，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，确定可用于平衡电网负载的方法。这被称为“需求响应”，即客户减少或转移他们的电力需求，从高峰期，以应对不同的价格。 我们将扩展这一阶段，以研究智能电网对长期电力供应链能力的影响。这是至关重要的，因为满足高峰需求所需的发电（发电厂）和输电（高压线）的额外电力基础设施是昂贵的。** 第三阶段是研究分散发电的业务影响。随着可再生能源和本地发电变得更加高效，客户可以供应和消费电力。智能电网的一个深层特征是对双向计量的IT支持，动态地扭转了电力供应链的方向。客户向电网提供本地发电的后果知之甚少，涉及集中和分散决策之间的权衡。 ** 本研究的结果将有助于信息系统，供应链管理和智能电网的实际设置的知识。这一设置代表了一个利用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.