scholarly journals Environmental Impact of Information and Communication Equipment for Future Smart Grids

Author(s):  
Vedad Mujan ◽  
Slavisa Aleksic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6114
Author(s):  
Matteo Manganelli ◽  
Alessandro Soldati ◽  
Luigi Martirano ◽  
Seeram Ramakrishna

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly permeating our daily life and we ever more commit our data to the cloud. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic put an exceptional burden upon ICT. This involves increasing implementation and use of data centers, which increased energy use and environmental impact. The scope of this work is to summarize the present situation on data centers as to environmental impact and opportunities for improvement. First, we introduce the topic, presenting estimated energy use and emissions. Then, we review proposed strategies for energy efficiency and conservation in data centers. Energy uses pertain to power distribution, ICT, and non-ICT equipment (e.g., cooling). Existing and prospected strategies and initiatives in these sectors are identified. Among key elements are innovative cooling techniques, natural resources, automation, low-power electronics, and equipment with extended thermal limits. Research perspectives are identified and estimates of improvement opportunities are mentioned. Finally, we present an overview on existing metrics, regulatory framework, and bodies concerned.



Technologies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Hankel ◽  
Gaston Heimeriks ◽  
Patricia Lago

Context: Many publications have described, measured, tracked or assessed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities that impact the environment. A complete conceptual view of the environmental impact of ICT can be described in three orders of effect: Direct, indirect and systemic. Objective: The goal of this study is to find out how the existing literature contributes towards our understanding of the environmental impact of ICT. We approach this question by identifying factors that can be of influence on the environmental impact and map these factors onto a conceptual framework of Green ICT. Method: We used a systematic literature review to collect factors of influence regarding the environmental impact of ICT. Results: From the data we collected and the analyses made, we created a taxonomy, and report on the frequencies of the factors of influence in the primary studies as well as gaps and additions compared to the conceptual framework. We found five main classes of influence that can form a continuous cycle, but noted that the research field is strongly focused on the direct impact of ICT. Conclusion: Our study contributes towards a better understanding of the environmental impact of ICT by framing factors of influence in a conceptual framework. The taxonomy we create and the analysis of the studies could be helpful in defining a research agenda, to further enable the full potential of Green ICT. In addition, the taxonomy can be used as a starting point for a practical tool, for organizations that wish to apply Green ICT to its full extent.



2020 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 10027
Author(s):  
Iryna Barna ◽  
Lіudmyla Hrytsak ◽  
Halyna Henseruk

Increasing demand for experts capable of high-quality assessment of the impact of a particular planned activity on the environment involves a more effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the educational process of training ecology students. The authors present a methodology for students to study the educational material of the “Environmental Impact Assessment” course by using ICT. The methodology and algorithm for using the Padlet interactive whiteboard, Mindomo mind maps, Easel infographics, Google Drive and Google Docs in lectures and practical lessons are described. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of a group project using ICT. Tested in the Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, the methodology allows to implement a number of tasks such as: promotion of intensification and effectiveness of teaching; acquisition of practical skills to quickly find the necessary information on various online resources for ecology students; simulation of the real procedure of environmental impact assessment in the classroom; development of the ability to professionally communicate with experts in other fields of knowledge or activity, etc. Examination of the results of using ICT to study the “Environmental Impact Assessment” course has shown a significant increase in informational literacy among ecology students and their individual professional growth.



Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisliany Alves ◽  
Danielle Marques ◽  
Ivanovitch Silva ◽  
Luiz Affonso Guedes ◽  
Maria da Guia da Silva

Smart grids are a new trend in electric power distribution, which has been guiding the digitization of electric ecosystems. These smart networks are continually being introduced in order to improve the dependability (reliability, availability) and efficiency of power grid systems. However, smart grids are often complex, composed of heterogeneous components (intelligent automation systems, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) control systems, power systems, smart metering systems, and others). Additionally, they are organized under a hierarchical topology infrastructure demanded by priority-based services, resulting in a costly modeling and evaluation of their dependability requirements. This work explores smart grid modeling as a graph in order to propose a methodology for dependability evaluation. The methodology is based on Fault Tree formalism, where the top event is generated automatically and encompasses the hierarchical infrastructure, redundant features, load priorities, and failure and repair distribution rates of all components of a smart grid. The methodology is suitable to be applied in early design stages, making possible to evaluate instantaneous and average measurements of reliability and availability, as well as to identify eventual critical regions and components of smart grid. The study of a specific use-case of low-voltage distribution network is used for validation purposes.



2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Heather Lovell

AbstractThis chapter introduces Understanding Energy Innovation, a book that is about the process of digital innovation within the electricity sector, with a focus on the social and political. This chapter covers who the book is for, its aims and themes, summarises key theories of energy innovation, and defines smart grids. Smart grids involve the incorporation of new digital and information and communication technologies into utility infrastructures, and they are used as a case study throughout the book to explore energy innovation. The chapter concludes with a brief history of smart grids.



i-com ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-175
Author(s):  
Rolf Egert ◽  
Nina Gerber ◽  
Jasmin Haunschild ◽  
Philipp Kuehn ◽  
Verena Zimmermann

Abstract Smart cities aim at improving efficiency while providing safety and security by merging conventional infrastructures with information and communication technology. One strategy for mitigating hazardous situations and improving the overall resilience of the system is to involve citizens. For instance, smart grids involve prosumers—capable of producing and consuming electricity—who can adjust their electricity profile dynamically (i. e., decrease or increase electricity consumption), or use their local production to supply electricity to the grid. This mitigates the impact of peak consumption periods on the grid and makes it easier for operators to control the grid. This involvement of prosumers is accompanied by numerous socio-technical challenges, including motivating citizens to contribute by adjusting their electricity consumption to the requirements of the energy grid. Towards this end, this work investigates motivational strategies and tools, including nudging, persuasive technologies, and incentives, that can be leveraged to increase the motivation of citizens. We discuss long-term and side effects and ethical and privacy considerations, before portraying bug bounty programs, gamification and apps as technologies and strategies to communicate the motivational strategies to citizens.



Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7273
Author(s):  
Lisardo Prieto González ◽  
Anna Fensel ◽  
Juan Miguel Gómez Berbís ◽  
Angela Popa ◽  
Antonio de Amescua Seco

Empowered by the emergence of novel information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as sensors and high-performance digital communication systems, Europe has adapted its electricity distribution network into a modern infrastructure known as a smart grid (SG). The benefits of this new infrastructure include precise and real-time capacity for measuring and monitoring the different energy-relevant parameters on the various points of the grid and for the remote operation and optimization of distribution. Furthermore, a new user profile is derived from this novel infrastructure, known as a prosumer (a user that can produce and consume energy to/from the grid), who can benefit from the features derived from applying advanced analytics and semantic technologies in the rich amount of big data generated by the different subsystems. However, this novel, highly interconnected infrastructure also presents some significant drawbacks, like those related to information security (IS). We provide a systematic literature survey of the ICT-empowered environments that comprise SGs and homes, and the application of modern artificial intelligence (AI) related technologies with sensor fusion systems and actuators, ensuring energy efficiency in such systems. Furthermore, we outline the current challenges and outlook for this field. These address new developments on microgrids, and data-driven energy efficiency that leads to better knowledge representation and decision-making for smart homes and SGs.



Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Soon Uk Yoon ◽  
Sung Min Choi ◽  
Joon Hee Lee

Recently, environmental problems due to livestock odor have emerged in Korea, and technologies to solve these problems are being developed. This study developed a livestock odor monitoring system using ICT technology and an ammonia sensor. This system consists of a sensor, communication equipment, server, database management system (DBMS), and user operating program. The requirements for each component were presented and applied to the system. The livestock odor monitoring system is divided into Livestock Odor Management System (LOMS) and Livestock Odor Control System (LOCS). LOMS comprises a sensor that can measure ammonia in livestock farms or treatment facilities and communication equipment that transmits and receives data. LOCS consists of a server that can receive data and a program to check real-time data. This system will be used for trend analysis using livestock odor data and to plan to reduce livestock odor in the future.



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