RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Electricity grid could become a type of Internet

October 25, 2007

In the future everyone who is connected to the electricity grid will be able to upload and download packages of electricity to and from this network. At least, that is one of the transformations the electricity grid could undergo. Dutch researcher Jos Meeuwsen (Technical University Eindhoven) developed three scenarios for the Dutch electricity supply in the year 2050. The starting point is that in this year, 50% of the consumption will originate from sustainable sources.

Due to the security of supply and the connection with the European market, electricity networks will always be necessary says Meeuwsen. Further, due to an increasing demand for electricity it is important to include all possible energy options (including coal and nuclear energy) in the scenario development. The exact form of future networks will largely depend on the primary energy mix chosen. In all cases engineers face new and considerable challenges in the areas of network and system integration and the development and implementation of new technology. Moreover, in all scenarios the total network capacity must increase. Small-scale networks will adapt characteristics from the current large-scale networks, such as the possibility of 'two-way traffic' and the responsibility to maintain a stable system.

Demand follows supply
In particular, the number of ways in which the total electricity supply system can be held in balance in the future will need to be expanded as more electricity is generated from sustainable sources. This might even mean a paradigm shift from the current 'permanently matching supply to demand' to 'continuously matching demand to supply'. Meeuwsen foresees a step-by-step integration of energy technology, ICT and power electronics that might result in an electricity system that exhibits many similarities with the Internet. Everyone connected to the system could then, within certain limits, upload and download packages of 'electrical energy' whenever they want. An important condition is, however, the technical feasibility of the centralised and/or decentralised storage of large amounts of electricity.

Three scenarios
Meeuwsen's three different scenarios for the future of the electricity grid mainly differ in the size of the electricity generation facilities. The scenario 'super networks' consists of large-scale production locations, transportation via high voltages, a considerable import of sustainable energy (in the form of biomass) and energy from offshore wind farms. The 'hybrid networks' scenario also includes large plants with high voltages that originate from offshore wind parks and large biomass stations. Additionally, small-scale generation takes place in and around cities and villages (wind, biomass and solar energy). Finally, in the 'local' scenario the number of local generators (in the form of micro-cogeneration units, solar energy panels, small-scale biomass plants at neighbourhood level and land-based wind turbines) is the greatest, yet large industrial processes and small consumers still make partly use of electricity from large-scale production resources.

The postdoctoral research 'Electricity networks of the future: Various roads to a sustainable energy systems' is part of the programme 'Transition and transition paths: the road to a sustainable energy system' funded by the NWO/SenterNovem Stimulation Programme Energy Research. The programme aims to develop knowledge in the natural sciences and humanities for the transition towards a sustainable energy supply.

Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

Related Electricity Current Events and Electricity News Articles

Electricity Current Events and Electricity News RSS

Toward home-brewed electricity with 'personalized solar energy'
New scientific discoveries are moving society toward the era of "personalized solar energy," in which the focus of electricity production shifts from huge central generating stations to individuals in their own homes and communities.

An inexpensive 'dipstick' test for pesticides in foods
Scientists in Canada are reporting the development of a fast, inexpensive "dipstick" test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages.

Report on US-China collaboration on carbon capture and sequestration
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Julio Friedmann, in collaboration with the Center for American Progress, the Asia Society Center and with partner Monitor Group, today released the report, "A Roadmap for U.S.-China Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Sequestration."

High-performance plasmas may make reliable, efficient fusion power a reality
In the quest to produce nuclear fusion energy, researchers from the DIII-D National Fusion Facility have recently confirmed long-standing theoretical predictions that performance, efficiency and reliability are simultaneously obtained in tokamaks, the leading magnetic confinement fusion device, operating at their performance limits.

Breakthrough in industrial-scale nanotube processing
Rice University scientists today unveiled a method for the industrial-scale processing of pure carbon-nanotube fibers that could lead to revolutionary advances in materials science, power distribution and nanoelectronics.

Adapting Space-Industry Technology to Treat Breast Cancer
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center and Argonne National Laboratory are collaborating on a study to determine if an imaging technique used by NASA to inspect the space shuttle can be used to predict tissue damage often experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Harvesting energy from nature's motions
By taking advantage of the vagaries of the natural world, Duke University engineers have developed a novel approach that they believe can more efficiently harvest electricity from the motions of everyday life.

Study shows that sleep disturbances improve after retirement
A study in the Nov.1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that retirement is followed by a sharp decrease in the prevalence of sleep disturbances. Findings suggest that this general improvement in sleep is likely to result from the removal of work-related demands and stress rather than from actual health benefits of retirement.

Robot fish could monitor water quality
Nature inspires technology for an engineer and an ecologist teamed up at Michigan State University. They're developing robots that use advanced materials to swim like fish to probe underwater environments.

Plugging into an electric vehicle revolution
A road trial of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which could one day end up in every Australian driveway, is underway.

More Electricity Current Events and Electricity News Articles

	Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Stan Gibilisco (Author) Learn the hows and whys behind basic electricity, electronics, and communications without formal training The best combination self-teaching guide, home reference, and classroom text on electricity and electronics has been updated to deliver the latest advances. Great for preparing for amateur and commercial licensing exams, this guide has been prized by thousands of students and professionals for its uniquely thorough coverage ranging from DC and AC concepts to semiconductors and integrated circuits. Written by Stan Gibilisco, an electronics legend and McGraw-Hill's most popular TAB author Perfect for hobbyists, students, and those of you who want to get ahead in tech-related careers Packed with everything needed to enhance learning: 600+ illustrations, practical...
	Electricity Demystified by Stan Gibilisco (Author) Electricity is a strong topic for McGraw-Hill, as seen with our tremendous sales figures with the TAB list. The books sell well across nearly every channel, and are extremely well received internationally. Electricity Demystified is a self-teaching guide intended for anybody who wants to get familiar with the basic concepts of electricity, be it for a course, professional, or personal reasons. It is a pre-cursor to our much more in-depth title, Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, one of McGraw-Hill’s most successful TAB titles, also by Stan Gibilisco.
	Electricity (DK Eyewitness Books) by Steve Parker (Author), Laura Buller (Author) After two centuries of research and experimentation, electricity has revolutionized the way we live and become an indispensable part of scientific progress. Eyewitness Electricity brings vividly to life our exploration of this powerful natural force. It is a vital part of the living world. Our eyes receive light rays and turn them into tiny electrical signals that pass along our nerves to the brain. The chemicals in batteries create power for such things as toys and flashlights. The invention of electric motors enabled the creation of a whole range of household appliances that have shaped the modern world. See how electricity works nerves and muscles and what causes lightning. Learn how electricity can transmit voices and images across an ocean and what makes a silicon chip work. Discover...
	ScienceWiz Electricity Experiment Kit and Book 18 Experiments, Electricity by Sciencewiz Projects in Electricity 40 Page science book and kit with 18 Activities. All materials are included except one D-cell battery. The children's classic should be your child's first Electricity book and kit. Beautiful step-by-step, highly visual instructions and child appropriate materials designed for young children to work independently. Add a touch of whimsy, include all materials, and you've got: ScienceWiz Electricity. Build circuit loops Light lights Buzz buzzers Spin whiz bangs Send coded messages Play hours of motor mania Country of Origin: U.S.A., China & Hong Kong.
	Schaum's Outline of Basic Electricity, 2nd edition (Schaum's Outline Series) by Milton Gussow (Author) Study faster, learn better-and get top grades with Schaum's Outlines Millions of students trust Schaum's Outlines to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills. Use Schaum's Outlines to: Brush up before tests Find answers fast Study quickly and more effectively Get the big picture without spending hours poring over lengthy textbooks Fully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know. Use Schaum's...
	Basic Electricity by Bureau of Naval Personnel (Author) Used by the United States Navy as a training course text, BASIC ELECTRICITY provides thorough coverage of the basic theory of electricity and its applications. An excellent text for both classroom use and home-study, or resource for layman or licensed electrician. Fully illustrated throughout.
	What Is Electricity? (Rookie Read-About Science) by Lisa Trumbauer (Author) From friendly dolphins to giant pandas, from icebergs and glaciers to energy from the sun, from magnets to solids, liquids, and gases, Rookie Read-About Science is a natural addition to the primary-grade classroom with books that cover every part of the science curricula. Includes: animals, nature, scientific principles, the environment, weather, and much more!
	Basic Electricity, Revised Edition, Complete Course Volumes 1-5 by Van Valkenburgh (Author), Nooger (Author), Neville (Author) From a simplified explanation of the electronic to AC/DC machinery, alternators and other advanced topics, Basic Electricity is the complete course for mastering the fundamentals of electricity. The authors have provided a clear understanding of how electricity is produced, measured, controlled, and used. A minimum of mathematics is used for the direct explanations of primary cells, magnetism, Ohm's Law, capacitance, transformers, DC generators, AC motors, and other essential topics.
	Snap Circuits SC-300 by Elenco Electronics Inc This educational kit is loaded with more than 300 projects to build. For example, kids can learn how transistors and capacitors function, and how to make time-delay circuits. In addition, this version includes circuits showing how oscillators and photo sensors work. Projects involve an AM Radio, Burglar Alarm, Radio Announcer and more. Contains over 60 parts. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included.
	Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity by Stephen Herman (Author) Understanding the theory and application of electrical concepts is necessary for a successful career in the electrical field specifically in industrial maintenance and installation, and this newly revised, full color text delivers! Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity, Fourth Edition trains aspiring electricians by blending concepts relating to electrical theory with practical 'how to' information that prepares readers for situations commonly encountered on the job. This revision retains all the hallmarks of our market-leading prior editions, but displays enhancements such as more practical application problems. Topics span the major aspects of the electrical field including direct and alternating current circuits, basic theory, transformers, generators, and motors. This new...