There is a renewable energy revolution brewing around the world. There has been a move towards phasing out fossil fuels, including the electrification of more processes and the transition to green energy by government agencies and private organisations. A massive infrastructure shift will be needed to make this work on a large scale, but it is a noble change that’s crucial.
If the current trends in the fight against climate change persist, the world will add as much renewable energy capacity in the next seven years as it has in the previous 23 years. Simultaneously, many automakers like Tesla have committed to producing only electric vehicles (EVs) within the next decade. A growing reliance on renewable sources will create uneven power generation, posing a logistical challenge to the grid.
As the needs of society evolve, governments and utility companies need to adapt, developing new infrastructure to support a sustainable future. Some of the major ways this can be done include:
- Decentralise the Grid System with Emphasis on Microgrids Growth
The first step in developing sustainable energy infrastructure is decreasing reliance on the nation’s current large-scale grid system. Power outages have become increasingly common and lengthy as energy demands rise, especially in Africa. Losses from long-range power transmission are becoming more impactful, and the usual macrogrids’ inflexibility exacerbates the issue. The Nigerian transmission grid was built in the 1960s, and no significant upgrade has been done on the grid even after six decades. A massive growing population of over 210 million have less than 5 GW of electricity to scramble for, with electricity consumption of approximately 145 kWh per capita.
One promising solution is to encourage the development of smaller microgrids and decentralise the macrogrid system. Microgrids let users distribute excess power from their personal renewable infrastructure across the local community, providing more resiliency. Since it’s easier to balance uneven loads on a smaller scale, microgrids make it easier to rely on renewables.
It is important to note that microgrids only partially replace the national grid. Thus, they should enable local renewable growth and independence to provide nearby support when the macro grid falters. This could be implemented on a geo-political scale in Nigeria with six geo-political zones. The resiliency resulting from this decentralisation will be vital to supporting broader electrification and reliance on less consistent renewables.
- Embrace IoT Technologies to Strengthen Grids
It is now a reality that smarter technologies have a vital role to play in improving the stability and reliability of electricity in any country. These new, more distributed and decentralised grids must also take advantage of the internet of things (IoT). Wireless, interconnected smart devices are central to many sustainability initiatives, as effective as environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies require objective data to measure key performance indicators, and grid modernisation is no different.
Smart transformers and meters are among the essential IoT technologies for sustainable energy development. Since renewable energy generation varies depending on conditions like sunlight and wind, grids must be able to distribute energy according to real-time needs. Smart transformers act on real-time consumption data to determine and act on those needs, adjusting distribution to ensure all renewable-derived electricity goes to use. The smart meters, on the other hand, improve demand-side management and assist firms with better monitoring and efficient collection of revenue.
Also, IoT maintenance sensors will prove crucial in preventing grid issues. Renewable infrastructure, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and other grid systems require timely maintenance to avoid outages. Smart sensors that detect potential issues and automatically alert relevant workers enable those quick responses.
- Promoting Low-impact Development and Usage
It is crucial that new energy infrastructure projects must emphasise low-impact development. As renewables grow, organisations must ensure these installations don’t interfere with natural ecosystems. Expanding this infrastructure in an eco-friendly manner is possible by rewarding construction on degraded or contaminated land.
Similarly, grids must incentivise low-impact usage from customers to help balance strain and prevent outages. Technological improvements like bifacial solar panels, which gather light reflected off the ground, will make renewables more reliable, but they’re still inconsistent. Energy companies can work around that by rewarding customers for minimising usage during peak hours. Lowering rates during peak renewable generation hours is one possible solution. For countries that have embraced electric vehicles, companies could also offer reduced EV charging rates during off-hours to discourage heavy electrical consumption when the grid is already under strain. These steps will aid in minimising performance issues and outages by balancing energy generation and usage.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels through renewables and frontier technologies like electric vehicles is an essential step forward for a clean energy revolution. However, combining these trends means electrical demands will rise as power sources become less consistent. It is imperative that the nation’s energy infrastructure adapt to meet this challenge in order to ensure that each trend can grow without disruption.
Macrogrid decentralisation, adoption of IoT technologies and promotion of low-impact developments will help create the infrastructure that can support increased electrification and renewable growth. Consequently, a cleaner future can be safely achieved.