A lire sur: http://www.atelier.net/en/trends/articles/energy-savings-rationalising-power-generation-and-use-key-reducing-consumption_424428
A European Union-funded project aims to
encourage a new approach to the management of electricity networks,
fostering closer communication between supplier and consumer so as to
maximise efficiency in power generation and consumption.
“For a utility company the ideal scenario is that you produce just
enough electricity to meet demand.” This, says Dr Leire Bastida,
coordinator of the EU-funded 'Energy-saving information platform
for generation and consumption networks' (ENERSIP)
project, was the starting point for a re-think of our current approach
to electricity supply systems. Rather than being content with one-way
communication flows, from supplier to consumer, this SmartGrid
initiative aims to implement two-way online communication between
suppliers, customers and their electrical appliances in order to
optimise the way electricity is consumed. Instead of simply trying to
encourage customers to cut down on their use of household appliances,
the ENERSIP researchers are looking at ways to provide them with
real-time information on their electricity consumption levels so that
they can opt to rationalise their own consumption patterns.
Changing consumer habits
On the supplier side, the application of information and communication
technology which ENERSIP is championing should enable a net reduction in
wastage of electricity. Rather than making a rough estimate of demand
for power across a given area, the ENERSIP approach is designed to help
adjust electricity generation – from both large centralised power plants
and smaller local sources such as roof-installed solar panels and wind
turbines – to match demand. ‘Smart’ plugs connecting appliances
with power sockets are used to send information on fluctuations in
consumption in real time to a centralised system which in turn will
adjust the amount of power produced. The ENERSIP web platform is
also being equipped to provide users with personal advice on how to
optimise, and so probably reduce, their consumption and manage their
electricity bills. Dr Bastida stresses that information is the key to
rational energy use, explaining: “We believe that people will make
sustainable choices and take part in the optimisation process if we give
them the information and help them make decisions.”
Widespread interest in smart grids
Most major players in the energy chain, both in Europe and in the
United States, have been looking closely at installing smart grid
technology for some time now. This trend is receiving further
momentum in the current economic context, where people are being forced
to make severe cost reductions, even for the most basic day-to-day needs
such as electricity. Tests carried out by ENERSIP have
demonstrated that the project is viable. In theory this approach could
enable overall energy savings of close to 30%. Households would be able
to cut their electricity bill by around 10%, leading to a parallel
reduction of 9% in EU emissions of carbon dioxide. ENERSIP’s energy
optimisation algorithms are already much in demand by industrial firms
wishing to maximise their energy efficiency, and they are likely to
enable the supplier-consumer relationship to evolve step by step. Dr
Bastida emphasises however that people are the key: “We can only make
significant energy savings when people change their behaviour. Systems
like ENERSIP can begin to make this difference,” argues the ENERSIP
coordinator.
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