Internet of Things for smart electrification
Overview of the status and impact of the innovation
What
Internet of Things (IoT) refers to physical devices that use electronics, sensors and software to connect and exchange data with other devices over the Internet. These devices are also called “connected devices” and “smart devices”, and they support remote monitoring and control through cloud-based control systems. For example, these tools and devices can adjust the energy consumption of loads such as heat pumps or water heaters in response to price signals or grid conditions to reduce energy costs, optimise operations and provide demand-response flexibility to the grid.
Why
IoT is a key tool for enabling the smart coupling of the power and heat sectors. Its use will help save energy, reduce costs and carbon emissions, and maximise the use of renewable sources by enabling automation.
BOX 6.10 A ubiquitous IoT in China’s electric power system
The concept of a ubiquitous IoT in an electrical power system was first proposed by China in 2019, and its construction is to be completed by 2024. Such an IoT uses advanced communication technology to realise the full interconnection of power systems. In addition, it allows the integration of additional sectors such as heating and cooling as well as decentralised energy sources like photovoltaics. The system, once implemented, will be able to control the on-line operation status of equipment and fully utilise multiple complementary energy sources, such as power grid, electric vehicles and energy storage to improve comprehensive energy utilisation efficiency, save energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.
Related kits
Power to heat and cooling innovations
Innovations (35)
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Technology and infrastructure
- 1 Low-temperature heat pumps
- 2 Hybrid heat pumps
- 3 High-temperature heat pumps
- 4 Waste heat-to-power technologies
- 5 High-temperature electricity-based applications for industry
- 6 Low-temperature thermal energy storage
- 7 Medium- and high-temperature thermal energy storage
- 8 Fourth-generation DHC systems
- 9 Fifth-generation DHC systems
- 10 Internet of Things for smart electrification
- 11 Artificial intelligence for forecasting heating and cooling demands
- 12 Blockchain for enabling transactions
- 13 Digitalisation as a flexibility enabler
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Market design and regulation
- 14 Dynamic tariffs
- 15 Flexible power purchase agreement
- 16 Flexible power purchase agreement
- 17 Standards and certification for improved predictability of heat pump operation
- 18 Energy efficiency programmes for buildings and industry
- 19 Building codes for power-to-heat solutions
- 20 Streamlining permitting procedures for thermal infrastructure
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System planning and operation
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Business models
- 28 Aggregators
- 29 Distributed energy resources for heating and cooling demands
- 30 Heating and cooling as a service
- 31 Waste heat recovery from data centres
- 32 Eco-industrial parks and waste heat recovery from industrial processes
- 33 Circular energy flows in cities – booster heat pumps
- 34 Community-owned district heating and cooling
- 35 Community-owned power-to-heat assets