• • • SMART BUILDINGS & IOT • • •
Why smart grids are the solution to realising the potential of smart cities
By Chris Barlow, innovation director at data communications company DCC
A
t the Data Communications Company, we are building the secure national infrastructure that is essential to the roll-out of smart meters across Britain. The network we operate, which connects smart meters to energy suppliers, network operators, and other authorised service users, is at the heart of our mission to make the country more connected, allowing us all to lead smarter greener lives. We believe that an ecosystem that enables energy innovation needs to be a central component of any plans to meet Britain’s decarbonisation agenda. Just consider that a recent survey of businesses, which found that more than three quarters (79 percent) indicated that energy usage is the major contributor to carbon emissions in their organisation, and you get an idea of the scale of the issue.
As we move forward, what we need is a smarter approach to energy grid management, which optimises operations by putting data at its core. The digitisation of the power grid will play a hugely important role in enhancing our energy distribution and will grant tremendous benefits to everyone in society, especially as we turn our focus to the smart cities of the future.
SMART CITIES DEMAND GREATER EFFICIENCY
The technological innovations we have seen mature in the last few years such as new cellular standards, the Internet of Things (IoT), and widespread fibre infrastructure, are helping to expand and fortify the data networks which lay the groundwork for smart cities of the future. Smart cities around the world – which utilise these networks and the power of big data – will
38 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2021
reap the rewards of these innovations through the efficient management of city assets, resources, and services. When looking at the role that data could play
in our energy system, as part of a smart city ecosystem, it is important to remember that smart meters are, in essence, IoT devices as well. In the past 12 months, data from smart meters is estimated to have saved households £270m by showing users how much energy they consume. In the future, this data could be used to eradicate fuel poverty and enable an aging population to lead more independent lives at home with remote care. The humble smart meter is a real first step into
the future of smarter cities and mass adoption of IoT. These technologies have the power to change people's lives for the better and should be made a priority.
A SMART GRID SECURED BY CONNECTIVITY
At the time of writing, more than 11 million smart meter devices have now been connected to our network across Britain. Smart meters are important for many reasons – not only because they help people accurately monitor their energy consumption, but they also support new innovative green energy tariffs; and as connected devices, they represent the first step towards a future vision of smart cities.
By being connected to people’s homes and businesses through this smart tech, the grid can more accurately predict and adjust energy usage – which in turn, creates a far more cost-effective, efficient, and ultimately green energy network, which is the foundation of a smart grid.
The smart grid of the future also needs to be as secure as it is efficient. At the DCC, we ensure the security of consumers’ data through many different means. For instance, we only allow authorised vetted parties access to this network which sits outside the internet. At all times data is encrypted across its journey
and the network is monitored for unusual activity 24/7 by the DCC Security Operations Centre. As we move forward to realising the IoT and smart cities dream, this kind of approach will need to be more widespread.
A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GREENER ENERGY
Putting the country on track to becoming a world leader in sustainable energy and a leader in IoT requires a concerted, collective effort from both the public and private sectors – to lay the groundwork and put systems in place to facilitate large-scale change. Our vision of a connected smart energy system
would not just allow people to plan their energy spend, it could support in minimising their carbon footprint by charging when energy is at its greenest and most affordable. As we look to support the energy sectors move into the digital age, we would call on everyone in society looking to lower their carbon footprint to play a role and join this energy revolution. Ultimately, working to enhance Britain’s power grid will allow the country to move forward to a lower carbon economy contributing to the plans to phase out fossil fuels forever – a future that is bright and full of potential.
DCC
smartdcc.co.uk electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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