USIADE, Rex Ehiedum & UFUAH, Charles
SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA’S POWER SYSTEM
Abstract
Stable and affordable electrical power is a vital requirement for development and growth of any economy. In Nigeria, electrical power is generated from two major sources – Hydro source and Thermal source and deposited in the National grid from where it is transmitted and distributed to consumption centres. Power system is more exposed to the environment and thus the rate at which faults or disturbances occurs is high. Beside the power plants and some high transmission lines, every other information acquisition vis-à-vis fault occurrence, detection and clearance is done manually by personnel patrolling the lines. Hence, a long period of time is wasted and minor fault can degenerate into severe fault. Therefore a system that is more reliable and responsive is required to arrest this problem. The smart grid system is the option to adopt. Smart grid system facilitates bidirectional movement and measurement which creates an environment for small localized generations and renewable energy operator to push their unused power back to the grid and get accurately paid for it. This research article examines the capacity, composition and viability of smart grid system for Nigeria, as remedy to energy challenges facing the power providing companies. This will not create but transform the existing opportunities for affordable and sustainable growth in the economy of Nigeria.
Keywords: Electricity, Smart Grid, Power System, Renewable Energy, Nigeria
