| 요약2 |
When backup power dropped below 0KW on September 15th 2011, which was the government estimation of failure in electricity demand, the government took a decisive measure to implement sporadic and circular suspension of power supply in an attempt to prevent a worst blackout. Fortunately, a massive disaster could be avoided but an incredible amount of damage compensation (about 14 trillion KRW) was generated. Besides material damage, everywhere in the Nation we suffered various emergencies such as the sudden stops of urgent surgeries. This event was the moment when the people could realize about the lack of electricity in the country. Massive accidents such as blackouts do not occur only because of power. A building is supplied with various energy sources, which are needed for our life, such as petroleum, gas, heat and so on. As for electricity, blackout is nothing but the suspension of electric power sources. However, gas or heat source may lead to the leakage of thermal source itself, explosion, or fire, which can end up costing many lives. To prevent such energy-related chaotic accidents, it is necessary to shift to disperse energy supply system by keeping a restrain on the increasing on demand of energy, reducing peak energy, and securing new/renewable energies. We should increase the use of new/renewable energies, reduce the dependence upon certain energy sources, and introduce heat storage system and electricity (energy) storage system (ESS) to minimize peak load during summer and winter. The current energy supply system is vulnerable to natural disasters. The fall of a single telegraph pole can cause electrical outage for hundreds or thousands of householders. It is attributed to the straight electricity supply system. The system works in the way that a large power plant generates electricity and a transformer increases voltage to supply it to a substation for an area. Then the substation again lowers voltage to supply electricity to a household. One of the alternatives to improve the weakness of the linear structure is the ring structure. Ring power supply system does not supply energy to each energy demander from a main power supplier, but neighboring energy demanders are connected to each other, shaping a circular supply system. Before establishing such stable energy supply system and reducing the demand of peak energy, energy management system should be placed to forecast and analyze energy consumption. It is important to carry out quick analysis and forecast on the increase of damage in case of an unavoidable accident. If ‘smart grid’ system, which can monitor and control energy consumption in real-time, is widely used, damage can be minimized even in an unexpected situation. Smart grid system does not only prevent energy-related chaos but also is helpful for the expansion of new/renewable energies and voluntary energy saving for the consumers. As energy plays the role of the root of the modern civilization, the demand of peak energy is increasing along with the improvement of human’s life quality. But we should not fall into techno-optimism, thinking that technology can sustain consumption and solve any problems. We should not let only technology, systems, and policies to be wholly responsible for the energy demand management by smart grid system and for the expansion of new/renewable energies. But we need to change our way of living in the long run. |