How Renewable Energy Systems Are Transforming Electrical Engineering

When it gets really hot in the summer I saw on the news that the power went out a lot because many people were using electricity at the same time. Watching it, I wondered, "How does the power grid hold up when people turn on the air conditioner at once? Why are some days okay and some days stop?" I felt that the electricity problem was not just an inconvenience, but an important issue directly related to social safety, thinking that multiple systems such as traffic lights, subways, and communication are affected at the same time even if the electricity is cut off for a short time.

Even while walking along the street, I noticed solar panels on the roof of the building or in the parking lot. I thought, "Wouldn't it be helpful to make electricity during the day and store the leftover electricity and take it out during the time when people use it a lot?" and I found out that renewable energy, smart grids, and ESS (energy storage devices) move together while looking up related articles. Renewable energy such as solar and wind power has the advantage of being eco-friendly, but the amount of power generated varies depending on the weather. So, in order for the power grid to run stably, it is necessary to quickly grasp "where and how much electricity is being used now" and "how much power will change." Here, it was understood that smart grids are a way to make power usage more visible and smarter operations by using devices such as sensors, communication, and smart meters. ESS is a device that stores leftover electricity and takes it out when necessary, and serves to relieve the burden during times when electricity is concentrated.

Looking at the case in the article, there are attempts in some areas, such as a virtual power plant (VPP), to collect sunlight and batteries from house to house and operate them like one large power plant. This can help the electrical grid by gathering small resources. However, there is also a problem. Renewable energy facilities are growing rapidly, and if the expansion of power transmission grids or substation facilities is delayed, electricity may be concentrated in certain areas, resulting in bottoms. Therefore, it was impressive that the expansion of renewable energy could not be solved simply by increasing the number of panels, but that the investment and operation method of the electricity grid should also be changed.

How well you predict and regulate electricity will be more important than how much electricity you can make. As a result, I've heard that more and more attempts are being made to use technologies like AI to predict electricity demand or renewable energy generation. If the forecast improves, you will be able to prepare the electricity you need in advance, and plan when to store and take out the battery to reduce the risk of power outages. On the other hand, people's choices have an impact, such as the electricity rate system and the habit of using electricity. I thought we should also consider policies and systems that induce electricity to be used during peak hours.

Looking at related articles this time, I felt that electrical engineering is not just a "technology that sends electricity without interruption," but a field that designs how we create, store, and share energy together in the future. If I study electrical engineering in the future, I want to learn by thinking about "how this technology affects people's cost of living, safety, and the risk of power failure." In the end, the biggest remaining point is that the energy problem is a big problem to be solved, intertwined not only with technology, but also with policies, markets, and personal choices.