Time is of the Essence: Why GPS Controlled Clocks are Important in a Smart Grid: Smart Grid Technology Articles: Eco20/20

Time is of the Essence: Why GPS Controlled Clocks are Important in a Smart Grid

A GPS-controlled clock allows for automatic adjustment so that it is always as accurate as possible. According to an article written by Erich Gunther in SmartGridNews.com, "grid connected devices can drift by a few minutes per month." Using the GPS, satellite- controlled clocks can allow for better calibration that will prevent this inaccuracy down to a few milliseconds and allows for optimal utilization of smart grid resources.

Real time usage needs to have real time calculations

For a smart grid to live up to its name, all aspects of the grid must be synchronized with each other. There is no way to know if you are saving money or wasting it if there is not real time communication of the costs vs. usage that the home owner or business owner can refer to when they check their status. Allowing the time to drift may keep the HAN from being able to make the right adjustments in a timely manner. If these adjustments cannot be made, then the lowered temperature, for example, on the hot water heater will not make any difference in the long run because by the calculation of the grid the adjustments will have come too late.

Every minute adds up

If the fluctuation of time is about two minutes per month, that is almost half an hour in a year's time. Considering the higher end of electrical energy at this point, that half hour can equal out to large dollar amounts that would have potentially been saved had the devices and the grid been synchronized to work with one another.

How the communications networks are not measuring up

The smart grid requires several things to be as effective as possible. While the version of today's smart grid does manage to make the grade in the realm of meter reading there are several failings that must be met to make the smart grid more universal, safer and more effective, especially in the are of hybrid vehicle management, time synchronization and demand response. In addition, there are several new applications that are looming in the future of the smart grid that it is not ready for in its current state.

How accurate is a GPS controlled clock?

The GPS clock can fall into a few different categories within its accuracy element. These classes include accuracy ranges from a few microseconds to a few minutes (purposely used for security purposes.)

Sources: Erich Gunther, Time, who has the time? Smart Grid time that is. From SmartGridNews.com. August 26, 2008