Chapter- 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Most of the world's electricity grid infrastructure was created during a period when energy
was relatively cheap. Even though incremental improvements have been made to the grid to
accommodate growing energy demand, the fundamental model has not changed much in the
last century. The flow of electricity is still one-way, meaning that electricity is transmitted
from the power plant to the user, and the grid's reliability is maintained by keeping reserve
surplus generation capacity on standby. This has created an inefficient and environmentally
destructive model, not only for greenhouse gases and our reliance on fossil fuels, but the
traditional grid infrastructure is not well-suited to handle distributed energy sources like solar
and wind power.
At the same time, the demand for electricity is still rising worldwide. According to the results
of the latest estimates, the demand for electricity is predicted to rise by more than 3%
annually through the late 2020s. Fossil fuels remain a significant contributor to the electricity
supply in many industrialized countries of the world, despite the progress made in the use of
renewable sources of energy. This fact raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of
the use of fossil fuels as a power source.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, the grid infrastructure is becoming older and is
facing greater pressure. The rise in demand, as well as the use of digital equipment, have
created concerns about the reliability of the grid infrastructure. More frequent power outages
and power quality problems have become noticeable issues, especially with the advent of
modern systems such as data centers, communication systems, and consumer electronics,
which demand uninterrupted power supply with high power quality. These power
interruptions can cause substantial losses even with short power outages.
In order to overcome the challenges, there has been a shift towards modernizing the power
systems using advanced technology. The term 'Smart Grid' has been proposed as a complete
solution to overcome the challenges. Smart grids have been proposed as a way to improve the
efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the existing grid infrastructure. Smart grids have
been proposed to incorporate advanced technologies like two-way communication, real-time
monitoring, and automation. This will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
existing grid infrastructure. In addition, the proposed smart grids will help incorporate new
sources of energy and allow consumers to participate more actively through advanced
technologies like dynamic pricing.
Significant advancements have been made in the field of information and communication
technology, especially regarding the availability of high-speed internet and IoT technology.
This will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing grid infrastructure. In
addition, cloud computing has been proposed as a new technology that will help improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the existing grid infrastructure. This will help improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the existing grid infrastructure. In addition, cloud computing
will help optimize the usage of energy and reduce the cost of operations.
However, there are a number of challenges associated with the transition towards a fully
modernized grid. The infrastructure that is currently in place represents a significant amount
of investment over the course of several decades. Nevertheless, research into cloud-based
power management, scheduling, and optimization has shown that there is a lot to be gained
from this approach. The simulation and actual implementation of this approach have proven
that the evolution towards a smarter and more resilient power grid is not only necessary but
also possible.
6.1. Energy Management of Smart Grid with Cloud Computing
The online analysis systems of the smart grid, through the application of cloud computing
technology, add value to the traditional scheduling of the grid through the integration of
advanced technologies like virtualization, distributed computing, high-performance
computing, and data management. In addition to the basic scheduling function, the online
analysis systems of the smart grid provide real-time monitoring and analysis of the grid. By
adopting the technology of cloud computing, the systems provide scalable computing
resources, collaborative computing, and efficient handling of the vast amounts of data.
In this method, the system is usually implemented using a service-oriented architecture,
which enables the deployment and operation of the system. This method provides
infrastructure, platform, and software services to the users of the smart grid. The cloud-based
method is connected to the data network for the scheduling data used by the grid. The method
also provides specialized analytical tools to the nodes connected to the system. In the cloud
data center, a virtualized resource pool is formed, which combines cluster and distributed
technology to provide high storage capacity, data processing, and parallel computing. The
applications and the central system are coordinated through a single management framework.
These advancements underscore the benefits of smart grids over conventional power grids.
For one, conventional power grids are not highly responsive to changes in demand and
supply. This can be overcome with smart grids to provide more efficient and reliable power
services. With the help of modern technology, many of the challenges of conventional power
grids can be overcome, such as delayed responses and inefficiencies.
Recent statistics show that more than 70% of utilities across the globe are investing in smart
grid technology. For instance, advanced metering infrastructure and real-time monitoring
technologies are becoming more prominent. Smart meters are also expected to reach over 1.8
billion installations globally by 2027. This allows consumers and utilities to monitor their
consumption of electrical power in real-time.
Another important aspect of smart grids is the presence of a centralized control system
through which power suppliers and consumers get connected. This control system is
responsible for collecting and processing data in real time, which helps in decision-making.
For instance, the conditions of the smart grid can be monitored in real time, which helps in
identifying problems and ensuring the efficiency of the smart grid.
 Figure 1: Snapshot of real-time data monitoring 31 December

Figure 2: Recorded daily consumption curve 16th December

 Figure 3: Snapshot of actual-time data monitoring 16thApril
Figure 23 shows the real-time monitoring results of the electrical parameters, including the
current, voltage, power factor, and total energy consumed, as of April 16. The device is
programmed in a way that it sends alerts whenever the demand for the current goes beyond a
specific limit. This helps in quick response in case of any abnormal situations. It also sends
alerts in case of MCB tripping, making it more efficient in terms of reliability. As it is
possible to access the results online, it becomes more efficient in terms of continuous analysis
of the performance of the electrical parameters of the system. This makes it more suitable for
energy management in smart grids using cloud computing.
Figure 3.2 shows the pattern of daily energy consumed by the electrical devices. The graph
shows clear peak demand at 11:00 AM and another peak demand at around 6:00 PM,
indicating more load demand during these two time periods of the day. Identifying the peak
demand is important in order to bridge the demand-supply gap by implementing efficient
energy management techniques.
Figure 25 displays the system with the data from the month of April. This gives a broader
view of the system's performance. The system displays real-time information on the current,
voltage, power factor, and the energy consumption. The system can be used to monitor the
data from different facilities through the use of the online platform. The information can be
stored remotely using the cloud system.
Cloud computing is considered to be a fundamental technology in the design of the modern
energy management system. Cloud computing is used to store data on a large scale, allowing
organizations to monitor their energy consumption in real-time and make the right decisions
to reduce costs through efficient operation. Recent reports indicate that the use of cloud
technology in the energy industry is on the rise, with over 60% of the utilities worldwide
using cloud technology to analyze the data, monitor the information, as of 2025.
In the present work, attempts have been made to analyze the reduction of electrical energy
consumption in the educational domain with the help of cloud-supported smart grid
technologies. The results show the efficiency of the integration of cloud computing with the
smart grid system. Moreover, the application of load scheduling techniques is analyzed to
optimize the usage of the grid system. The results of the simulations show the efficiency of
the scheduling techniques to optimize the grid system.
6.2. Adaptive Load Scheduling for Residential Load
The discussion on the adaptive load scheduling approach for the residential system in the
context of the smart grid environment and the use of cloud computing is presented in Chapter
2, and the discussion on the simulation results for the proposed method is presented in the
following sections. In order to acquire the data in real time, there is a need to create an
interfacing mechanism between the hardware and the software. This interfacing mechanism
may be created by using programming languages like C, in which the parameters may be
acquired and transmitted in an efficient manner. The interfacing program may be created in
such a manner that the data may be displayed on a server in real time, i.e., at regular intervals.
The data may be accessed by the users by the integration of internet services like FTP and
email.
Figure 26 demonstrates a software interface showing real-time residential energy parameters.
This system ensures that power consumption occurs within a specified limit to maintain a
power supply balance. In this case, the maximum allowable load is set to 140 W. In case of a
power demand higher than this value, load scheduling will be automatically implemented to
reduce excessive power consumption. Furthermore, this interface enables the operator to send
recorded data and a snapshot of the wave directly to a server or email via integrated
communication tools.
Figure 27 depicts a sample record file for real-time residential power monitoring sent to the
operator. The adaptive load scheduling strategy can be explained with a classroom scenario
consisting of a cabin. In this scenario, the load consists of a total of three lamps and two fans.
Among these loads, one lamp and one fan within the cabin are considered to be non-shiftable
loads because their power consumption remains unchanged due to their required usage. The
remaining loads are considered to be shiftable loads.
On the other hand, the "shiftable loads" have two subcategories: "power shiftable" and "time
shiftable" appliances. In the above example, it is assumed that one of the lamps is a "time
shiftable" appliance, whereas the second lamp and the fan are "power shiftable" appliances.
In the above algorithm, the scheduling of the "shiftable" appliances is carried out by adjusting
the time of the appliances or the level of the "power."
The above adaptive scheduling of the "shiftable" loads is considered efficient in balancing the
load, conserving energy, and improving the stability of the smart grid. In the context of the
above "adaptive scheduling" of the "shiftable" loads, it is evident that the above method is
efficient in balancing the load, conserving energy, and improving the stability of the smart
grid. In the context of the above "adaptive scheduling" of the "shiftable" loads, it is evident
that the above method is efficient in balancing the load, conserving energy, and improving the
stability of the smart grid. In the context of the above "adaptive scheduling" of the ".

Figure 4:Screen Shot of Data Available on Software Regarding Residential Parameters

Figure 5: Record of real time monitoring of residential power

Figure 6: Analysis of total power saving with load scheduling and without load
scheduling
6.3. Peak Load Scheduling in Smart Grid Using Cloud Computing
In the recent past, the world has been facing an energy crisis, and thus the need to efficiently
manage energy has been crucial for businesses, industries, and even individual households.
Poor energy management not only leads to economic challenges but also poses a threat to
human safety. Electrical faults, such as short circuits, pose a major threat to human life and
property. For instance, statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau reveal that the city
of Mumbai, like other urban cities, has been facing a number of fire-related incidents
resulting from electrical faults, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives over the last decade.
In order to ensure the safety and efficiency of the systems, it is necessary to have accurate
tools for the real-time monitoring of the electricity consumption. Advanced domestic energy
management systems utilize modern technology for the efficient management of the
electricity consumption. Such systems assist in the early detection of abnormal conditions,
thereby preventing any hazards. In the context of the management of the peak demand, it is
necessary to observe the daily patterns of the consumption of the electricity. This would assist
in the efficient management of the overload conditions.
The application of the IoT technology has also strengthened the management of the energy.
IoT technology assists in the efficient management of the systems through the application of
automated systems. Such systems assist in the efficient management of the systems through
the reduction of the need for manual intervention. Recent estimates have indicated that it is
expected that there would be the deployment of over 75 billion IoT technology-based devices
across the world by the year 2025.
For the scheduling of peak loads in smart grids, tools like MATLAB can be commonly
employed to simulate the system's efficiency. Another such tool is HOMER Pro, which was
created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is now commercially available
through HOMER Energy. The tool is a global standard for the optimization of microgrid
designs for various purposes, including rural electrification or grid connection systems. These
tools can be employed to analyze the system's efficiency and ensure the efficient utilization of
the available energy resources.
In the present day, cloud computing is considered to be a significant factor in the
management of energy systems as it facilitates the processing of data centrally. This enables
the storage of a considerable amount of data while providing uninterrupted access to the
information of the system. This enables the organizations to manage their energy usage
effectively. According to research, the operational costs of the utilities can be reduced to 20%.
In the context of the smart grid system, the cloud can be integrated with various components
like Data Concentrator Units (DCUs).

Figure 7: Internal diagram of DCU

 Figure 8: Simulation graph of the proposed method

Figure 9: Snapshot of online data monitoring 27th June

Figure 31 depicts the data on the monitoring of the parameters on June 27. This data is then
used to create the load curve for the day. The parameters monitored include voltage, current,
power consumption, and the power factor. The system also sends alerts for the tripping of the
MCB, thus aiding in the early detection of faults. This data is critical in identifying the peak
periods during the course of the day. By identifying the patterns, the loads that can be shifted
are shifted from the peak periods to the off-peak periods, thus aiding in the better balancing
of the electricity supply and demand.
Figure 32 depicts the data on the energy consumption on a daily basis for an educational
institution. The load curve is then used to identify the periods during the day when the energy
demand is the highest. By identifying the peak periods, the non-critical loads are shifted from
the peak periods to the off-peak periods, thus aiding in the better balancing of the electricity
supply and demand. The monitoring plays a critical role in identifying the peak periods.
Recent trends suggest that institutions that employ the use of "real-time monitoring" and
"load management" can achieve a 10% to 20% reduction in peak demands, thereby reducing
costs. These strategies are becoming more significant, as the demand for electricity is
continually increasing, particularly in campus and commercial facilities.
In addition, loads such as water pumping systems can account for considerable amounts of
energy consumption. As indicated in Table 1, the total power requirement for the pumping
load in the campus is approximately 7460 watts. These loads can be managed to achieve
improved energy efficiency.

Figure 10: Recorded daily units of consumer

Table 3: Pumping load of the proposed method

[Link] No of motors Ratings in HP Watts

1 2 1.5 2238

2 2 2 2984

3 1 3 2238

4 Total 10 7460

From table 4 above, time of day usage includes dividing the day into tariff slots for industrial
load addition to base tariffs. Exploiting the above information, the client will be able to
develop a concept of peak load shifting to off-peak load periods. Peak load periods are
associated with a high rate of electricity, while off-peak load periods are associated with a
low rate of electricity. When the water pumping system is working during peak hours
between 9am-12pm, one will be required to pay additional charges of 0.8 Rs/Unit, making
the total charge to be paid 8.06 Rs/Unit. When the pumps are rescheduled during the morning
period between 6am-9am, one will be required to pay 7.26 Rs/Unit.

Figure 11: Result of peak load scheduling

Table 4: Time of day

[Link] TOD tariffs (in addition to base tariffs) Ratings in HP

1 2200Hrs-0600Hrs -1.5

2 0600Hrs-0900Hrs and 1200Hrs-1800Hrs 0

3 0900Hrs-1200Hrs 0.8

4 1800Hrs-2200Hrs 1.1

This section deals with the results obtained from the study. Figure 33 depicts the time-related
data, indicating the overall power consumed by the educational institute over a long period.
The system works on a cloud platform, for which the subscription fee is paid annually to
enable data storage, monitoring, and analysis services.
After the implementation of the load rescheduling technique, specifically the shifting of the
operating hours of the water pumps from peak hours to off-peak hours, the reduction in
electricity costs was observed. The calculation indicates that the institute saves around
₹10,000 to ₹10,200 annually. This indicates that the simple scheduling technique helps in
saving costs and reduces the stress on the power grid. Such modifications help in reducing the
overall energy demand during peak hours, thus solving the energy problems.
A proper analysis of the energy consumption patterns of the campus will help in
understanding the importance of energy management. Cloud computing is one of the
technologies playing a vital role in managing the energy of any organization by allowing real-
time data storage and analysis. Access to real-time data regarding energy consumption helps
organizations take proper decisions regarding the efficient use of energy. Reports from the
industry have confirmed that real-time energy management using the cloud helps in reducing
costs by 15-25%.
Smart energy meters are another device helping in the efficient management of energy by
providing real-time information regarding the consumption of electricity. This helps in the
early detection of irregularities in the electrical supply, thereby avoiding any possible short
circuits. Besides the safety aspects, efficient energy management helps in reducing costs as
well.
In the context of peak load scheduling in smart grids enabled by cloud computing, the
primary focus is placed on managing the load of energy distribution. This helps in balancing
the load by analyzing the pattern of energy consumption, thereby reducing the peak load.
In the above scenario, it was found that the rescheduling of the water pumps was a viable
option, as the cost savings of around ₹10,000 per annum have a payback period of around 2.5
years.
It was evident from the above scenario that the integration of cloud computing has vast
potential in the context of managing the load of energy distribution in institutional settings.