Installation Aspects of Smart Grid: Fid-Bau Portal

Installation Aspects of Smart Grid

Ofei-Amoh, R. Kweku / Syal, Matt

Abstract

Over the last few years, there has been the realization that the current electrical grid needs to undergo major upgrades. The government, utility companies, and several other stakeholders have proposed modernizing the electrical grid to make it efficient to meet predicted power demands. This modernized grid is generally termed as the smart grid. In addition to the grid capacity and reliability issues, the current electrical grid requires upgrades to resolve major challenges including the network of independently owned components, old and outdated parts, wastage from inefficiency, a design that did not consider renewable energy, and susceptibility to attacks from hackers and terrorists. It is evident that the growth of a smart grid will require substantial development and installation efforts. These efforts will present opportunities to the construction industry, especially electrical contractors. For electrical contractors to take advantage of these opportunities, they need to be conversant with technologies associated with a smart grid and their installation and construction management–related aspects. This research explored smart grid technologies both in the market and in research and development and developed the installation and construction management aspects of these technologies. The work scopes associated with these technologies for the electrical construction industry were also explored.