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Smart Grids and Their Role in Energy Efficiency



Hi Delegates!


Are you excited for BMUN LXVII, because I am! I can't wait to meet all y'all delegates. Until then, here's some more exciting content about the topics at hand.

This blog post's topic will be on smart grids, their purpose, pros and cons, and how they can be used. Here's a link if you want to learn more: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/01/29/465520/energy-efficient-buildings-central-modernizing-u-s-infrastructure/.

smart grids

First off, what are smart grids? Simply a smart grid is an electrical grid that can allow for a two-way system of communication between customers and producers. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry, leading to more reliability, availability, and environmental efficiency. Furthermore, the article states that the South African smart grid can lessen the load of the grid during peak demand, which will "lower electricity rates, [increase] integration of large-scale renewable energy systems as well as [allow] quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances". A great example of how smart grids can be implemented can be found not only in South Africa but also in Stockholm Royal Seaport Urban Smart Grid is an environmental development project currently in planning stages, set to be completed in 2030. Since the idea's inception in 2000, the smart grid system has been an exemplary on how these sustainable development projects can be planned, construction and what benefits the bring. This article (and others on the South African smart grid) provides us with a lot of details on how smart grids are implemented in real life and what benefits/cons could be! Be sure to refer to real projects when coming up with solutions!

Good luck delegates on your research and I can't wait for your wonderful debate!


Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 27, 2019 at 4:48 PM

    The delegation of Nepal believes smart grids are essential in ensuring access to energy in developing countries. Due to a lack of efficiency in sustainable energy capture in general, smart grids allows us to compensate through efficient energy transmission and storage. Efficient energy transfer through will allow countries or sub-regions with abundant energy capture facilities to supply regions lacking efficient energy sources. Furthermore, through the use of smart grids developing countries such as Nepal can maximize the benefits from local energy capture, and strive towards self sufficiency.

    The biggest issue that comes up during implementing energy grids in developing countries is as always funding an infrastructure. This can be overcome through NGO and international- alongside domestic government loans, but would require more specifics and structure in order be presented as an economically viable investment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Siddhant GuptaFebruary 28, 2019 at 12:43 AM

    @ Nepal. The delegation of China see's your concerns! As the world's largest consumer of energy, China set out to lower its emissions and increase efficiency a decade ago. In doing so, China has invested 45 billon USD into just the development of smarter grid systems. China has seen tremendous success in energy efficiency as a result and is projected to be the largest Smart Grid investor in the world over the next 10 years and has a sizable market for Smart Grids as well, second to only the imperialist United States. As such, the supply will exceed the demand and China expects to be able to invest in the development of Smart Grids in other nations as well. The delegation of China is one of the world's leaders in providing assistance in developing countries and is willing to provide countries such as Nepal with low interest loans and experts in their fields. NGOs , as Nepal mentioned, may be of assistance but it is doubtful that they can fund expensive long term investments such as Smart Grids and China urges countries to allocate funding themselves as an investment or to seek international loans. The World Bank has been known to provide loans and support for developmental projects such as when they loaned 140 million USD to India in 2017 for the development of energy infrastructure to power Andhra Pradesh 24/7.

    The delegation of China strongly urges the implementation of smart grids and will aid nations within its capacity to do so.

    See you in committee!

    ReplyDelete

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