Smart Grids vs Renewable Energy

Welcome to our discussion of smart grids vs renewable energy! While both of these technologies are important for the future energy landscape, there are some important differences between them that are worth exploring. In this post, we'll take a deep dive into smart grids and renewable energy, explain what they are, and give you the data you need to make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

What are Smart Grids?

A smart grid is a modern electricity grid that uses digital technology to communicate in real-time. Smart grids are more efficient than traditional grids because they can respond dynamically to changes in energy demand, and they help utilities better manage their resources. A smart grid system includes advanced sensors that can monitor energy usage, grid conditions, and power quality so that issues can be addressed quickly.

Here are some interesting figures about the smart grid:

• Smart grids can reduce carbon emissions by 9 percent by 2030, and up to 27 percent by 2050 [1]
• Smart grids can reduce the number of outages by up to 75 percent [2]
• Smart grid technology could save US households up to $3.8bn a year by 2030 [3]

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy refers to sustainable energy sources that are replenished naturally, such as solar or wind power. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources do not produce harmful emissions, meaning they are much better for the environment. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular as people focus on reducing their carbon footprint and embracing more sustainable energy sources.

Here are some interesting figures about renewable energy:

• Renewable energy is expected to provide up to 85% of global electricity by 2050 [4].
• China has the highest installed capacity of renewable energies worldwide, at 296 GW [5].
• Renewables covered 74% of newly installed energy capacity in 2020 [6].

Smart Grids vs Renewable Energy: Which is Better?

The truth is that smart grids and renewable energy are both important pieces of the energy landscape, and we need both of them to achieve a sustainable future. However, smart grids are more about optimizing the way we use energy, while renewable energy is about finding new, more efficient ways to produce it.

So, which is better? The answer depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, then renewable energy is definitely the way to go. If you're looking for a more efficient, optimized grid that can handle the energy we're already producing more effectively, then smart grids are the way to go.

At the end of the day, both of these technologies are important, and we need to continue investing in both if we want to create a sustainable future.

References

[1] IEA. (2021). Smart grids. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/smart-grids
[2] Power Grid Engineering. (2018). 5 benefits of smart grids. Retrieved from https://www.powergridengineering.com/5-benefits-of-smart-grids/
[3] World Economic Forum. (2014). The Future of Electricity: New technologies transforming the grid edge. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-electricity-new-technologies-transforming-the-grid-edge
[4] International Energy Agency. (2020). Renewables. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2020
[5] IRENA. (2021). Renewables Installed Capacity by Country/Region. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Jan/IRENA_Renewable_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf
[6] IRENA. (2021). Renewable Capacity Highlights. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_Renewable_Capacity_Statistics_2021-Highlights.pdf