A survey on cloud computing in energy management of the smart grids

Abstract

Summary Smart grid mitigates the environmental concerns associated with the global warming and climate shifting and reduces the dependence of the power generation on conventional fossil fuels. This is done by energy efficiency improvement and renewable energy sources exploitation at large scales in the form of centralized systems as well as small‐scale systems in the form of microgrids and nanogrids. However, smart grid technology brings new challenges to the big data management of the new power system construction. Additionally, due to the large‐scale intermittent distributed renewable resources contribution and stochastic electric vehicles integration, the current energy management systems must undergo some improvements to handle the smart grid requirements. Cloud computing, as an intermittent based on‐demand computing model, serves an emerging solution to the aforementioned challenges. As a result, this paper presents a survey study on the smart grid and state of art energy management methods and the necessitation of the cloud computing incorporation in smart grid energy management. Then, the application of the cloud computing in energy management, demand side management programs, building energy management systems, energy hubs, and power dispatching systems have been discussed and associated models are addressed.

Management Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Cloud Development and Diffusion

“…Smart grids are energy grids that intelligently integrate the actions of all the users connected to it (prosumers, consumers, or both) to provide an economic and safe environment [30]. In this sense, the authorities are encouraged to follow this network revolution [8], where the function of these integrated systems is to protect the components of the electrical system, control the flow of energy, and monitor the process [6]. Therefore, the smart grid needs real-time information processing with communication support, as users' energy demands also change dynamically [31].…”

“…Based on the analysis of articles and conference papers retrieved in SR, it can be seen that there is no consensus among the authors about the layout that best represents and that allows the distribution of all elements and activities necessary to compose the energy cloud system. However, studies [8,14,27,46,47] structured the layout in the format of layers and blocks with at least five layers or blocks in each article, while the other articles of SR presented fewer layers, different layouts, or they limited themselves to discussing more specific points concerning the theme addressed in this article. In this sense, Reference [27] proposed a fog computing framework for energy management in a smart building.…”

“…In this sense, Reference [27] proposed a fog computing framework for energy management in a smart building. In Reference [8], the authors researched the use of cloud computing in the energy management of smart grids. In Reference [46], the authors proposed a new layered architecture for big-data-driven smart homes.…”

“…Technological and infrastructure aspects are the starting points of this innovative process, which aim to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply that improves the energy efficiency of cities [7]. The future infrastructure of the power system or smart grid improves the reliability, energy efficiency, safety, flexibility, sustainability, and performance of the current power grid [8]. Thus, technological development in the energy area aims to efficiently control the consumption of energy and resources, increase the insertion of renewable energy sources, and improve the resilience of the electricity grid [9].…”

Testing guidelines for connection of solar photovoltaic farm to distribution grid: The Malaysian experience

“…In the energy sector, the generation of electricity from renewable resources has received a huge amount of attention worldwide . The primary reason for this is because RE is based on clean resources that produce no or insignificant amounts of waste products and pollutants . Hence, RE can reduce carbon footprint and has minimal impact on the natural environment .…”