Grid efficiency and reliability as the base for the new green energy era
2019 - as we enter the new year, optimism gains new "believers" in many business fields. This is particularly truthful in the power business arena. So much more in Brazil where a new conservative government with a liberal approach to economy has just been inaugurated. There are many facts to fuel the optimism there. The rise of electrically charged vehicles, the "prosumer" consciousness is gaining momentum, the solar panels cost reduction, the introduction of new technologies as micro turbines and intelligent power storage and so on.
The regulators are discussing more flexible rules for commercial and industrial power consumers that could allow them to contract energy in the so called "free market - mercado livre" from 2 MW demand on (nowadays it's lower limit is 3 MW) and even expanding the mini generation projects connected to the grid to up to 5 MW with the same tax benefits present in the up to 1 MW levels.
New technologies, more liberal approach to distributed and clean energy generation and a growing "green" consciousness are all great news. Investments will flow and the society will be the biggest beneficiary. However, we cannot belittle the infrastructure importance. As we only focus on new technologies to be connected in the existing power distribution networks, we may be forgetting that the infrastructure is the base for that all. We still live in a country where some of the regional grids present 12% to 19% power losses. The equivalent fault time and frequency are way above the so called developed countries standards. There are municipal grids facing up to 25% "technical losses", just to use the politically correct jargon.
Without the adequate level of robustness, flexibility and reliability, it will be very hard to inject new green power into the existing grid or to charge a small electrical cars fleet during the night. This will hinder investments and nobody wants that. Controls, switching equipment, protection devices, transformers, metering and even cabling must be checked and eventually adapted.
By ensuring the green power usage and generation projects are planned in parallel with the grid development, we'll have the base we need to the green energy era that is dawning upon our country.
*Arthur Lavieri holds an electrical engineering degree from São Paulo University and has been working in diversified power related businesses since 1991.
Director of Operations (COO) en MOTION CORP
5yThis will make electricity consumption more transparent and easier to control and therefore will help to save energy.
InsurTech | Product Management | Agile and Lean Coach | Digital Transformation Consultant
5yArthur Lavieri, I like the optimistic outlook painted here in your Article, if I were to believe what we are fed with here in the U.K about your Country's new regime, I may have disagreed with your optimism about green issues in your Country. What we were told is that your new President is looked upon as the "Trump of Brazil" considering that President Trump is vehemently against the Paris Climate Change Agreement and by extension the new deal formulated and agreed upon at Katowise, Poland. All the same I congratulate Brazil on electing whom they see fit to lead them. I have never been to Brazil but I love the fact that it is a giant that is making things happen in the South American region.
Gerente de Produção na PPC Santana
5ySo true Arthur! To enable the current infrastructure to deliver its full capacity (without so many losses along the way) is of vital importance. The time has come to be efficient rather than just "big". Good luck in your new endeavor.