Page 41 - OHS, April/May 2024

The Role of Smart Grids in Enhancing Electrical Safety
How smart grids and IoT technology help prevent electrical incidents and improve safety in the workplace.
BY HERBERT POST
One of the expectations that in- dustries have with the fast-paced development and application of smart grids and Internet of
Through the integration of AI and machine learning, smart grids can forecast potential electrical issues, enabling preventive measures to be taken.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Things (IoT) technologies is how these will help in improving electrical safety in the workplace. Smart grid technology, for instance, considering its advanced capabil- ity to monitor and manage the distribution of electricity across different networks, has changed the way we understand energy flow and safety. Partner that with IoT that al- lows for the connection of everyday devices through the internet, these systems offer ad- vanced supervision and control over electri- cal infrastructures.
For the electrical industry wherein safe- ty is a crucial concern, these technological advancements are expected to also address the issue of workforce safety. Electrical in- cidents can result in significant risks such as severe injury, downtime, and worse, loss of life. In this article, we will explore how smart grids and IoT technology can help prevent electrical incidents and ultimately improve workplace safety.
Understanding Smart Grids and IoT
Smart grids work by combining electrical infrastructures with digital technology in order to monitor and manage the flow of electricity from different sources to con- sumers. Key components of this technol- ogy may include smart meters that provide real-time data on the use of electricity, and automated control systems that work to ad- just and distribute electrical power to the consumers in the most efficient way pos- sible. Aside from increasing the reliability of electricity distribution, the use of these digital components improves safety by identifying and responding to potential electrical faults before they can cause any harm.
Add IoT technology to the digital frame- work of smart grids and it will result in an even greater level of control and monitor- ing. Implementing IoT devices in an electri- cal system can range from using sensors to detect overheating in equipment to circuit
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APRIL/MAY 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 41
to prevent any incidents. In other words, implementing IoT technology in electrical systems enables a more interactive network that can help prevent accidents and improve workplace safety.
Integrating both smart grids and IoT of- fers a proactive approach to electrical safety. But how do these technologies really work in improving electrical safety at work?
Predictive Analytics in Smart Grids
Smart grids use predictive analytics to pre- dict and mitigate potential electrical faults and overloads. Through the integration of AI and machine learning algorithms, smart grids are able to process and analyze vast amounts of data from smart meters and sensors throughout the grid. These data often include equipment status, real-time electricity consumption patterns, and even weather conditions. By processing these data, smart grids can forecast any potential electrical issue, like overloads or equip- ment failures, before they become real safety hazards, enabling preventive mea- sures to be taken.
Here are some example scenarios on how predictive analytics in smart grids works to enhance safety at work:
■ A utility company can implement a smart grid solution with IoT devices for real-time monitoring of its electrical infra- structure. This modified system can predict a fault in its transformer that may be caused by unusual heating patterns. By proactively addressing this issue, the company can avoid potential safety incidents in the workplace
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■ A solar energy plant can use smart sensors with its smart grid system to moni- tor the health of photovoltaic cells. The predictive maintenance system can then identify which cells may have faults or is- sues. When serviced proactively during scheduled downtimes, then the plant can maintain good operations and prevent any electrical failures. This then can effectively avoid any safety risk.
■ A large manufacturing facility can integrate smart grid technology to maxi- mize the use of energy consumption and improve overall safety. With the use of smart sensors and IoT devices, the facility can monitor real-time energy use within its different departments. The advanced ana- lytics software can also predict peak load times and then adjust the schedules of ma- chinery operations automatically so they can save energy and costs.
■ A data center that implements smart grid technology for its cooling systems can adjust the cooling levels based on real-time information and predictive algorithms. Considering that data centers consume a large amount of energy, this technology can help prevent potential electrical inci- dents caused by overheating and also re- duce energy consumption.
These are some practical examples that show how smart grids’ predictive analytics can significantly reduce downtime, save costs, and improve workplace safety.
Specific Technologies
For predictive analytics to work, smart
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