Smart Grids Roadmap - Smart Grid Sherpa

operators have made it clear that more work isneeded in the near term to understand the keyfactors that will enable DR in the residential andservice sectors. In addition to system operators,generation stakeholders who depend on systemflexibility, such as wind and solar farm operators,must actively support DR technology developmentand demonstration as a way to increase flexibilityand ensure increasing deployment levels intothe grid can be managed effectively. Other DRstakeholders, including aggregators, technologydevelopers and industrial, service and residentialcustomers, must also collaborate to ensure thattechnology development meets all parties’ needswith due consideration of regulatory and marketmechanisms.Development of consumer-basedenabling technologiesPilot projects have shown that certain so-calledenabling technologies enhance the ability of smartgrids consumers to adjust their consumptionand save on their electricity bills. These enablingtechnologies also improve the sustainability of enduserbehaviour change over time. Considerableinnovation is under way in this field and numerousenabling technologies have already been developedand piloted, including in-premise customer displaysor “energy dashboards”, programmable and priceresponsiveend-use controllers, and home or facilitywideautomation networks.Some research projects are looking into thebehavioural aspects of presenting feedbackon consumption, as well as opportunities forautomated end-use load control. As with manyemerging fields, the range of approaches is wideand early results vary considerably.Key enabling technology development questionsinclude:zzzzzzzzIs there an optimal mix of behaviouralmodification and automation technologies?How much customer education is required andwhat are the best approaches?What policies can governments adopt toencourage innovation without pickingtechnology winners?What is the impact of ICT choices (e.g. private/dedicated carriers vs. public-based carrierssuch as the Internet) on enabling technologydevelopment?StandardsThis roadmap recommends the following actions:Governments and industry should evaluate priorities and establish protocols,definitions and standards for equipment, data transport, interoperability andcyber security, and create plan for standards development to 2050.Expand collaboration in the development of international standards to reducecosts and accelerate innovation while developing globally accepted standards.MilestonesFrom 2011 to 2013Continue from 2011 to 2050Smart grid equipment and systems are providedby many industry sectors that historicallyhave not worked together, such as equipmentmanufacturers, ICT providers, the buildingindustry, consumer products and service suppliers.Control systems operated by utilities whosenetworks interconnect need to be able to exchangeinformation. Customer-owned smart appliances,energy management systems and electric vehiclesneed to communicate with the smart grid.Standards, definitions and protocols for transportof data are essential for this complex “systemof systems” to operate seamlessly and securely(Figure 14).Technology development : actions and milestones31© OECD/IEA, 2010