Definition and inherent characteristics of smart grids
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The smart grid is highly welcomed by the market for its excellent safety in operation and reliable performance; it also promotes the widespread use of smart electricity meters. This reduces electricity costs for users and improves the efficiency of resource utilization, thereby enabling energy savings. By analyzing the application of smart electricity meters in electricity metering, it drives the overall development of the industry and technological progress. 1 Definition and Characteristics of Smart Grids A smart grid refers to the intelligent construction of power grids. Its operation is based on advanced high-speed two-way network communications; sophisticated sensing devices and advanced control methods provide technical support. Additionally, the use of advanced decision-support systems enables safe operation of the grid, efficient development, and sustainable development in harmony with the environment. Its main inherent features are its self-healing capability, the ability to help customers withstand any attacks, the provision of electrical power needed by modern society, and the initiation of market operations as well as the optimization of related assets. At present, China’s smart grids rely on ultra-high voltage grids as their main framework, with the lower-level grids forming an intelligently developed network that develops in a coordinated manner. Such a grid structure enables safe operation, high efficiency and environmental sustainability, as well as strong self-healing capabilities. It also features high levels of informatization, a high rate of automated operations, and exceptional interactivity. 2 Structure of Smart Electricity Meters A smart electricity meter is composed of three main components: the electricity measurement system, the metering and transmission system, and the communication system. It is an electricity meter that incorporates functions such as energy measurement, data collection and processing, real-time metering, and remote control. The components of smart electricity meters are mainly electronic components. The working mechanism of an electricity meter involves real-time sampling of voltage and current; thereafter, the integrated circuit in the meter processes these sampled values to generate output pulses that are proportional to the amount of electricity used. After further processing by a microcontroller, these pulses are converted into data representing the electricity consumption, which is then transmitted out.
Based on an open and interconnected information framework, by installing digital systems and upgrading grid management systems, it is possible to achieve intelligent, informational, and hierarchical interactive management of the entire electricity industry process – including power generation, transmission, distribution, consumption, electricity sales to customers, hierarchical grid scheduling, and comprehensive services. This represents a comprehensive efficiency transformation that incorporates industrial revolution, technological revolution, and managerial revolution. The development prospects for smart substations remain broad. According to the **12th Five-Year Plan for Smart Grids**, by 2015, around 5,182 smart substations were to be built. Of these, approximately 19 were to be 750-kilovolt smart substations, about 182 were to be 500-kilovolt smart substations, around 60 were to be 330-kilovolt smart substations, approximately 1,198 were to be 220-kilovolt smart substations, and about 3,710 were to be 110(66) kilovolt smart substations ； Upgrade 64 500 kV substations, 18 330 kV substations, 320 220 kV substations, and 630 110 (66) kV substations. It is estimated that during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the investment in the intelligent components of newly built smart substations will be around 537.6 million yuan, while the total investment in the intelligent transformation of substations will amount to 9.38 billion yuan. “During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, a total of 1.6 trillion yuan was invested in smart grid construction. Assuming that smart substation systems account for around 20% of this amount, the investment in such systems will amount to 320 billion yuan