Contributed by Sid Sung, Bitech Technologies Chief Innovation Officer

Bitech Technologies' blog series on "Electricity Interconnection" will cover various aspects of the "New Electricity Interconnection." In the upcoming blogs, we will introduce topics related to this subject. The next blog will focus specifically on understanding the concept of "What is New Electricity Interconnection?" Stay tuned for more insightful information.

Conventionally, electricity interconnection refers to the linking of electricity grids between different regions, countries, or even continents to enable the transfer of electrical power across borders. This interconnection allows for the sharing of energy resources, improving grid reliability, optimizing energy use, and fostering cooperation between interconnected areas.

However, with the existing worldwide smart power technologies market mega trends, the renewable energy, distributed energy resources (DER) and other new deployments, the electricity interconnection definition is getting expand to include the new complex processes of connecting new electricity generators like solar, wind and energy storage to the existing electricity grid. From the new trend, the Interconnection is process of connecting a distributed generation system to the electric grid.

As the world continues to move towards more efficient and sustainable energy sources, the development of smart power technologies has accelerated. This has not only revolutionized the ways in which we generate and consume electricity, but it has also greatly expanded the concept of interconnection. Interconnection can now be defined as connecting through various types of power networks such as Transmission Power network, Distribution power network or after-the-meter power network. These different systems are interconnected with each other and allow for the seamless flow of electricity from generation sources to end-users. The interconnectedness provided by smart power technologies opens up opportunities for optimized energy management and increased reliability of supply. It also enables the integration of renewable energy sources into existing grids, making our energy systems more sustainable. With these advancements in technology, interconnection is no longer limited to physical connections between grids but encompasses a comprehensive network that ensures efficient and reliable delivery of electricity to meet our evolving energy needs.

Power grid interconnection manifests remarkable advantages in energy utilization efficiency and system security. Power grid interconnection is beneficial for transferring renewable power from remote wind farms and photovoltaic power stations, thereby contributing to a low carbon target. Power grid interconnection is meaningful to promote acceptance of sustainable energy in a wide range. Cross-border electricity interconnections are not only key for the integration of the European energy market, but also allow the EU to enhance its security of supply.

As the most complex artificial system on the globe, the power system involves multiple various measurement units to detect the system operation state. The Power Flow (PF) state represents the level of power transmission and distributions of energy resources and power load. Thus, the PF Calculation (PFC) fundamental data reveals a large amount of information for industries and commercial activities. Concerning multi-area interconnected power networks, the operator of regional grids may not have the access to the key data of other subareas, such as the grid topology or the distributions of generation and load. Such “information barriers” become a challenge for interconnecting system state analysis which centers on clarifying the coordinated performances of the subareas in synchronous operation. Thus, researchers pay more attention to the optimization, operation, and dispatch of interconnection power networks in case of information privacy and independence for subareas.

The key benefits of electricity interconnections summarized in the following:

1. Increased Reliability & Energy Sharing: By connecting grids, regions or countries can establish a system that allows them to share surplus electricity during peak demand, outages, or energy shortages. This can be especially beneficial when one area produces more electricity than it needs, such as from renewable sources like wind or solar. By exporting excess electricity to a neighboring grid with higher demand, both areas can benefit. Not only does this promote efficiency and reduce waste, but it also helps to stabilize the overall supply and demand of electricity within the connected grids. This type of collaboration can also provide a backup plan in cases of emergencies or natural disasters that may cause power outages in one area. By connecting grids, regions or countries are able to create a mutually beneficial relationship where they support each other's energy needs and contribute towards a more reliable and sustainable energy system.

2. Grid Stability and Reliability: Interconnections play a crucial role in the stability of power systems by providing backup sources of electricity during shortages or outages. In today's world, where energy demand is constantly increasing, power grids can face significant challenges in meeting the needs of consumers. However, with interconnected grids, if one grid faces a failure or experiences an unexpected outage, it can receive electricity from other interconnected grids. This not only helps to alleviate the burden on the affected grid but also reduces the risk of blackouts for consumers. By diversifying and sharing resources through interconnections, power systems can maintain a more stable supply of electricity even in times of high demand or unexpected events. This ensures that essential services such as hospitals, emergency response systems and businesses continue to function smoothly and without interruption. Overall, interconnections are a vital component in ensuring the reliability and resilience of modern power systems.

3. Economic Cost & Benefits Efficiency: Interconnections between different regions allow for the sharing and transfer of electricity, providing numerous benefits for both the exporting and importing regions. For regions with surplus electricity, often from renewable sources like wind or solar, interconnections offer an opportunity to export their excess power to areas with higher demand. This not only helps to reduce wastage of renewable energy, but also reduces the need for expensive generation methods in the importing region. By tapping into cheaper production methods or abundant renewable resources available in other regions, interconnections can help to lower overall electricity costs. This benefits consumers by providing them access to more affordable electricity, while also promoting the use of clean energy sources. In summary, interconnections play a crucial role in balancing supply and demand for electricity among different regions, ultimately leading to cost savings and a greener energy future.

4. Facilitating Renewable Energy Integration: Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar have gained traction in recent years due to their potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. However, one of the biggest challenges with these sources is their intermittent nature and location specificity. This means that they may not always be available for electricity production and are often concentrated in specific regions. This is where interconnected grids play a crucial role. These grids enable the distribution of electricity from renewable sources over a broader area, allowing for a more efficient balance between supply and demand. Interconnections also facilitate the transfer of energy produced in one region to other areas, helping to mitigate any mismatches between supply and demand. As we continue to transition towards a greener energy mix, interconnected grids will play an essential role in ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity worldwide.

5. Energy Security: Diversifying the sources of power is a crucial measure for countries or regions to ensure energy security and reduce vulnerabilities. It involves utilizing different types of energy resources such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear power. By doing so, countries become less reliant on a single energy provider, reducing their vulnerability to supply disruptions caused by factors like natural disasters or political instability. With a diverse range of energy sources, countries can shift their dependence from one source to another in times of need. Additionally, interconnections between different regions also play a key role in enhancing energy security. These interconnections provide alternative supply routes, thus reducing the dependency on any single source of energy. As a result, interconnected regions are better able to withstand potential supply disruptions and maintain stable levels of energy supply. In this way, diversifying the sources of power and establishing interconnections can significantly enhance energy security for countries or regions and reduce their vulnerability to unexpected events.

6. Environmental Benefits: Interconnected grids play a significant role in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By connecting different power grids, cleaner and renewable energy sources can be transmitted over long distances, allowing for a more efficient distribution of energy. This reduces the need for fossil-fuel-based power generation, which is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, interconnected grids also provide backup support during peak demand periods or unexpected power outages, promoting grid stability and reliability. This enables countries to shift towards a greener and more sustainable energy mix, ultimately contributing to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, interconnected grids allow for better utilization of renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, which tend to be geographically dispersed. Therefore, they help in accelerating the transition towards clean and renewable energy sources while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.