Smart energy in a smart city

Cities are resilient and growing in size, but they require a more robust, intelligent, and environmentally friendly energy infrastructure to prosper. Cities fuel the economy, creativity, culture, and opportunities of entire countries. Despite this, a lot of cities are having problems. As more people move, public utilities and services (housing, water, wastewater, energy, and transportation) are stressed. There are significant issues with cheap accommodation, pollution, and traffic congestion worldwide. We must zero dangering emissions globally to stop climate change.

This process can be done by entirely redesigning energy systems and relying only on renewable and sustainable energy sources. Also, electrical systems must be more durable and use various renewable energy sources most efficiently.

Energy users need to be more aware of the sustainable use of resources, as using renewable energies will result in higher swings in supply and demand. In "Smart Cities," homeowners and energy providers share information freely. This situation encourages the careful use of electricity, which helps keep resources balanced and sustainably reduces the carbon footprint.

Practical Solutions to Energy Issues in the Future

To prevent climate change, we must all work together. Starting with energy conservation is wise. Governments and countries must work harder to create energy-conversion initiatives that gradually shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.

The battle against climate change and the pursuit of green growth will be decided in 2022. The switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy will speed up in the coming year. This process will increase the need for advanced semiconductor ecosystems and energy storage devices that last a long time.

It is now necessary to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy produced from sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectricity, which will help in the fight against global warming.

Most people rarely give this any thought unless gas prices rise. Extensive conversations on this subject are frequent. Politics and flawed scientific practices are typically held responsible. Practical solutions in this area are urgently required, regardless of the causes. The following is a list of some potential answers to this crisis:

Use of renewable energy sources

Making a step toward employing renewable energy sources is now the most excellent way to address the energy challenge. Fossil fuels had a vital role in the start and development of the industrial period. We now have the technology necessary to use renewable energy sources like wind, sunlight, and water.

There will be significant environmental harm if we continue to use fossil fuels like coal and oil. Although switching to renewable energy sources may take some time, long-term advantages exist. The good news is that in many nations, this process has already started, albeit slowly.

Conservation of energy

We must conserve the currently used energy sources until the globe transitions to renewable ones. Modern technologies allow for the control of lighting in homes and offices. They also contribute significantly to financial and energy savings.

Touch dimmers, slide lighting, and integrated lighting controls are a few examples of these lighting controls. They assist us in energy conservation and lower our total lighting costs. We can also turn the appliances or equipment off when not in use. By doing this, we will contribute to energy conservation.

Buying energy-efficient products

Thanks to recent technological developments, we can access a wide range of energy-saving lights and other equipment. The use of such tools must become routine to get the most benefit. We can replace the conventional lighting in our homes as one of our projects. It would be a terrific idea to switch to CFLs or LEDs instead of the standard electric lights.

These more recent lamps last longer and consume fewer watts of power. Imagine how much energy could be saved if millions of people used these bulbs worldwide! Energy demand will drop dramatically, potentially preventing a severe energy catastrophe.

Encouragement for the use of green energy

There are people and organizations dedicated to preserving the environment in this world. They have created the required infrastructure to use green or renewable energy for their purposes. Such people or groups ought to be praised for their efforts.

This process needs to be accomplished by giving them awards and financial assistance. Governments around the world have started to provide these subsidies recently. These projects can serve as an example for other people or businesses. They might consequently start to utilize cleaner energy sources for their needs.

Future possibilities of renewable energy sources in smart cities

Renewable energy sources can be used in smart cities, reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Although there are many choices, there isn't a single, universal remedy for our cities. Suppose we want our cities to be strong and resilient in the future. In that case, we must combine these cutting-edge strategies with a solid commitment to the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainability Goals. Technology has long made the essential tool for introducing renewable energy available. The remaining issues are how cities employ the technology and how we can reduce energy use and waste. The following technologies will have an immediate influence on the sector.

Solar energy

Photovoltaics (PV) and solar panels are two different types of conversion technologies that can be used to generate energy from the sun. Solar panels are used to produce thermal energy; PV is utilized to produce electricity.

PV solar systems are one type of technical solution. These are typically integrated into or put on building facades or rooftops. The most significant technological benefit of systems for residential structures is proximity to the consumer. This issue avoids the need for transportation costs and energy waste. However, there are also a lot of social and environmental advantages, like improved resistance to climate change effects and extreme weather occurrences.

But there are some drawbacks as well. The limitations of the land, on the one hand, Cities frequently lack suitable property for the installation of PV systems, or the cost of land is prohibitive. On the other hand, incorporating VRE sources may affect grid stability and operation and harm the urban electricity grid.

Wind energy

The use of wind energy has changed recently. The constructed environment has not yet been affected, though. Among the significant issues are their size, inability to detect turbulent flows and low wind speeds, noise, a contentious aesthetic, and a lack of knowledge of wind aerodynamics. Urban wind turbine performance also has to be enhanced. Most urban wind turbine applications are still in the research and development stages (R &D).

Bioenergy and waste-to-energy

In the case of bioenergy, it is preferable from a logistical and ecological standpoint to use locally accessible raw resources. Local biomass, which is required for energy generation, can be sourced from city waste streams and forestry and agricultural areas close to them. Another benefit of recycling waste is that it prevents littering, which helps the environment. A few benefits come with bioenergy. On the one hand, it provides a consistent and dependable energy source; on the other hand, it is a desirable waste management option for a community. By doing this, environmental pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are both decreased.

It's not always sure that raw materials will be available sustainably. The waste management system and a collection area for forestry and agricultural waste that is partially constrained determine the supply. The public's perception of bioenergy is also debatable because waste incineration facilities may impact air quality and public health. Waste management and the energy sector must work together to develop suitable solutions.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is crucial to the network's heating and electrical systems. It may generate power, heat, and cold.

Near-surface geothermal energy is a significant energy source for intelligent energy systems. Underground heat storage systems link smart heat and power grids. This way, cities and rural areas will have a reliable and affordable way to heat and cool their homes.

Geothermal energy is used in cities for space heating, room cooling, and hot water. How? By using the power obtained, which is stored in the soil or the rock below the earth.

There are two technologies:

• Geothermal heat water pumps are used for individual and tertiary buildings. The heat water pumps can be used in systems of different sizes and offer water heating, low-temperature cooling, and low-temperature heating. This technology is an excellent choice for new buildings that use almost no energy and for buildings that are being renovated.
• Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) or Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is used for the seasonal recovery and storage of thermal energy. The energy is stored as soon as it is available and can be used when needed.

Smart grids

Smart grids combine generation, storage, and consumption. A central control system optimally coordinates them with each other and thus compensates for power fluctuations in the grid – mainly due to fluctuating renewable energy. A smart grid is equipped with information and communication technology (ICT). This enables real-time communication between utilities and consumers. In this way, a more dynamic interaction in the flow of energy is created, which in turn can contribute to a more sustainable and efficient power supply.

The benefits of smart grids are:

• More efficient transmission of electricity
• Quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances
• Reduced operations and management costs for utilities and, ultimately, lower consumer power costs.
• Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower electricity rates.
• Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems
• Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable energy systems.
• Improved security

Smart energy in Dubai

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is actively helping to make Dubai the world's smartest city. DEWA created a thorough plan to implement smart water and energy infrastructure to support this goal. We refer to this as a "Smart Grid," which offers sophisticated capabilities like automated decision-making and interoperability throughout the power and water network. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has the vision to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. With 7 billion AED investments, DEWA's Smart Grid Program helps him reach his goals and fulfill his orders in this area.

The program is crucial to DEWA's plan to create a cutting-edge infrastructure. It supports the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to produce all of the country's energy from clean sources by the year 2050.

A significant element of a smart city, the DEWA created its first Smart Grid strategy up to 2035 in 2014. DEWA effectively accomplished the short-term objectives of the Smart Grid Strategy 2014–2035. DEWA released its updated Smart Grid Strategy up to 2035 in 2021. It changed from a technology-led to a value-driven strategy and grouped its ten smart grid programs into six themes covering 19 industry-leading smart grid capabilities.

Here are the essential rules that ensure DEWA's Smart Grid works quickly, smoothly, and efficiently.

• Baseline Competencies
• Automated Grid
• Green transportation and smart energy solutions.
• Smart Water
• Artificial intelligence for Smart Grids
• Innovative Services with Value