Information Use in the Operations of the Smart Grid

智能电网是对整个电力供应链的信息技术基础设施的集成。首先，智能电器（暖通空调、家用电器）连接到智能电表，提供基于It的连续功耗测量和其他来自客户的数据，然后转发给分销商。分销商根据发电和输电基础设施动态调整其电力需求。关键是电力不能以经济的方式储存，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。******本研究拟分三个阶段对智能电网进行研究：******第一阶段是模拟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。只有在高水平的技术采用和转换的情况下，才能获得智能电网的运行效益。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。******第二阶段是确定可用于通过智能电网提供的增强信息来平衡电网负载的方法。这被称为“需求响应”，即客户减少或转移高峰时段的部分电力需求，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电力基础设施（发电厂）和传输（高压线路）非常昂贵。******第三阶段是研究分散式发电的运作影响。随着可再生能源和本地发电效率的提高，客户可以供应和消费电力。智能电网的一个深层特征是IT对双向计量的支持，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人们知之甚少，而且涉及到集中和分散决策之间的权衡。******这项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方面的知识。这种环境代表了利用信息技术提高能源效率的机会，这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.