Energy and Power Engineering, 2013, 5, 1531-1535
doi:10.4236/epe.2013.54B290 Published Online July 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/epe)
Feasibility Study of Smart Grid in Bangladesh
Faysal Nayan1, Md. Aminul Islam2, Shifat Mahmud3
1Department of EEE, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2Deoartment of EEE, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3Darmstadt University of Applie d Science, Germany
Received 2013
ABSTRACT
The agenda of this paper is to d iscuss about the significan ce and a d etailed feasibility stu dy of practical implementation
of Smart Grid in Bangladesh. Smart grid refers to an electric power system that enhances grid reliability and efficiency
by automatically responding to system disturbances. Power crisis is a major problem for a developing country like Ban-
gladesh. Efficient transmission and distribution of electricity with essential energy resources is a fundamental require-
ment to provide citizens and economies. The paper analyzes the characteristics of Smart Grid and a comparative analy-
sis with conventional grid system. It also discusses about the efficien t transmission and distribution pro cess which will
integrate power system with renewable energy and information system.
Keywords: Smart Grid; Integration of Information and Power System; Centralized & Distributed Generation System;
Transmission and Distribution System; Performance Indicator; Renewable Energy
1. Introduction
The definition of smart grid is not uniform. It depends on
the focus of the development of Smart Grid system. The
main feature of Smart Grid is efficient energy system
with reliability, flexibility, centralized and distributed
power generation with fully automated power network [1,
2]. In recent days, most of natural resources are running
out of phase. So, an energy efficient system is a global
need to increase the utilization of generated power. Smart
Grid can ensure such an efficient system. European
Regulator Group for Electricity & Gas (ERGEG) defined
Smart Grid as, an electricity network that cost efficiently
can integrate the behavior and actions of all users con-
nected to it – generators, consumers and those that do
both – in order to ensure a sustainable power system with
low losses and high levels of quality, security of supply
and safety. Renewable energy is an added advantage of
Smart Grid. It can minimize our dependency on natural
fuel resources. Most of the developed and developing
countries are advancing to replace their conventional grid
system with Smart Grid. To overcome the future impact
in power sector Bangladesh should switch to Smart Grid
[3, 4].
2. Prospect of Smart Grid in Bangladesh
Energy shortage is a worldwide concern. Presently, more
than 40 countries show power system instability and
load-shedding due to electricity shortage. North Ameri-
can and European companies are presently working on
building 'smart electrical grid' technologies to optimize
energy flow using digital radios for more efficient elec-
trical grid control and energy conservation. The need to
build Smart Grid technologies is rising worldwide and
Bangladesh can become a pioneer in this area of tech-
nology development. Since energy demand is increasing
every year in Bangladesh, it is not po ssible to build pow-
er stations rapidly. Smart Grid system can minimize this
problem. In the event of load-shedding, caused by elec-
trical energy shortage in the country, the Smart Grid can
automatically recalculate and distribute electricity to all
consumers fairly [2,5].
The basic needs to implement Smart Grid are digital
radios, circuit breakers etc. Both digital radios and circuit
breakers are required to upgrade the operation of nation's
electrical grid, which can be designed and manufactured
in Bangladesh in large scale. With the help of expatriate
Bangladeshi engineers, Bangladesh can start designing
and manufacturing the electrical parts required to up-
grade the electricity grid in Bangladesh so that, Bangla-
desh can be an early developer and adopter of the Smart
Grid technology[1, 2].
3. Comparison between Conventional Grid
and Smart Grid
Obviously there is a far difference between the conven-
tional grid and Smart Grid system. Smart Grid ensures an
energy efficient system. In Bangladesh the electric power

F. NAYAN ET AL.
1532
grid has the conventional technique of one way delivery.
So there are deregulations in the system. But recently
conventional grid has been modernized since last few
years. SCADA system, microcontroller based relays,
automated power plants etc. already have been imple-
mented [1,5]. So the proposition of smart grid could be a
probable solution to minimize power crisis problem. The
major requirement of smart grid is an au tomated network
using broadband connection. A comparison between the
conventional grid and Smart Grid is given in table 1
based on the characteristics of the grid system.
Table 1. Comparison between conventional grid and smart grid [1,4]
Characteristics Conventional Grid Smart Grid
Communication method Unidirectional, Not Real-time Bidirectional, Real-time
Technological base Analog/Electromechanical Digital
Power flow control Limited Pervasive
Power supply method Centralized power Generation Centralized and Decentralized power Generation
Self-heals
Responds to prevent further damage. Automatically detects and responds to actual and emerging
transmission and dist ribution problems.
Operation and Management Artificial device calibration Remote Monitoring
System topology Radial structure Network structure
Control system Regional Pan-regional
Motivates & includes the
consumer Consumers are uninformed and no
participative with the power system Informed, invo lve d and ac tiv e c ons umers.
Provides power quality for 21st
century needs Focused on outages rather than power
quality problems. Quality of power meets industry standards and consumer needs.
Accommodates all
generation Relatively small number of large generat-
ing plants.
Very large numbers of diverse distributed generation and
storage devices deployed to complement the large generating
plants.
Enables markets Limited wholesale markets still working
to find the best ope rating models. Mature wholesale market operations in place
Optimizes assets and operates
efficiently
Minimal integration of lim i t e d o perational
data with Asset Management processes
and technologies.
Greatly expanded sens i n g a n d measurement of grid conditions.
Grid technologies deeply integrated with asset management
processes to most effectively manage assets and costs.
Emergency recovery Manual recovery Self healing, Auto recovery
Price Information Limited All access price information
Customer choice Limited choice of optional function Wide range of optional function
4. Integration of Information System
Smart grid will integrate all the components of power
system with information system to enhance the perform-
ance of the grid. Much of the integration of components
relates to communication systems, IT and business proc-
esses. Real-time information and power exchange be-
tween elements of the Smart Grid requires high-speed,
fully integrated and two-way communication with third
party entities. The smart grid is based on the usage of
smart energy technologies, the application of power con-
trol by means of digital information systems (smart me-
ters and smart appliances) that communicate through the
advanced communication technology (i.e. internet) with
the electricity utility to optimize electrical power system
generation, distribution and end-use energy demands
[1,6].
The communication between smart grid components is
important for real time operation. Smart grid communi-
cation system can be divided into 3 groups; generation
resources group, network group and load group, so that
all the components can co-operate to ensure an efficient
operation of the system. The generation resources group
includes all power plants, storage and distributed genera-
tion systems, the network group performs the real time
communication between the generation and load demand
due to operate the load management system. Figure 1
shows the basic proposed structure of smart grid com-
munication system.
Electric utilities use a wide variety of telecommunica-
tions including [1]:
a) Wired and Wireless Telephone.
b) Voice and Data Dispatch Radio.
c) Fiber Optics.
d) Power Line Carrier.
e) Satellite.
f) The Internet

F. NAYAN ET AL. 1533
Figure 1. Simplified diagram of smart grid communication system
5. Transmission Process of Smart Grid
Electric power transmission system is used to transfer the
electric energy from the generation unit through high
voltage transmission lines which is distinct from the local
wiring between high voltage substations and customers.
Transmission systems already have some instrumentation
that allows control centers to monitor power flows and
operating circuit breakers at substations. Today, the
transmission grid has a high-level of observation and
some basic remote control. The basic transmission pa-
rameters – voltage, frequency and current – are well
monitored and understood. However, there is much more
that can be done[7,8].
5.1. Measurement of Phase and Other Advanced
Measurements
In the smart grid transmission systems power flows
measure automatically and provide report to control cen-
ters quickly. There is also providing some additional in-
formation that could be collected to improve dramatically
the control and stability of high voltage grids. The volt-
age and current in the Bangladesh power system oscil-
lates at a frequency of 50 cycles per second (50 Hz).
In order to move power over a long line, there has to be a
difference in phase between the two ends of the line, but
if that difference becomes too great, the line will no
longer transmit power. There are very few measurements
of phase being made across today's transmission systems.
With many more measurements at key locations, and
with high-speed communication and advanced control
systems to make use of the data, the efficiency and sta-
bility of power system operation could be improved sub -
stantially in the smart grid transmission system [8].
5.2. FACTS and Other Advanced Control Device
Smart grid transmission system consists of a family of
devices based on solid-state power electronics those can
change the electrical properties of lines and make power
flow where it is wanted. These Flexible AC Transmission
System control devices are called FACTS devices. Now
a day in smart grid system few utilities have started to
use them when they are the most cost-effective way to
solve a transmission problem. The control of FACTS
requires advanced communication and system level con-
trol technology.
Many advanced technologies and strategies could be
used to turn the high voltage transmission system into
what some have termed a smart self-healing grid. A few
important things could be done today. However, before
the more advance ideas can be implemented, additional
research and small-scale demonstration will be needed
[8].
6. Distribution System in Smart Grid
Electric distribution system is a network which carries

F. NAYAN ET AL.
1534
electricity from the transmission system and delivers it to
end customers through the high voltage transmission
system and then at lower voltage through the distributio n
system. When talk about Smart Grid which includes sev-
eral things that can be done to improve the control and
operation of dist ri b ut ion syste ms [8].
Distribution system of smart grid includes: Distribution
System Automation, Selective Load Control, Managing
Distributed Generation, smart meter.
6.1. Distribution System Automation
In smart grid distribution system all the power enters at
one point and then flows out to the loads along the
branches of the distribution feeder to the customers.
Some utilities have added sensors and remote control
switches that can isolate and cut off any problem. A
number of power companies have already found it cost-
effective to install distribution system automation [8].
6.2. Selective Load Control
At present, if we want to isolate one portion of the sys-
tem the only way to do this is by disconnecting entire
distribution feeders. It would be far better to be able to
control individual loads along a distribution feeder so
that critical services such as police stations can remain
connected, while loads that provide less critical services
can be dropped. With a combination of smart meters and
advanced distribution automation, this is possible in the
smart grid system [8].
6.3. Managing Distributed Generation
In smart grid system use small distributed generators that
both make electricity and produce usable heat energy.
They make more efficient use of the energy of the fuel
that is used; they can relieve stresses on transmission and
distribution systems; and, they can increase the reliability
of power supply to local customers. In an emergency, it
would sometimes be desirable to be able to disconnect a
distribution feeder from the main power system. How-
ever, with the right technology, control systems, and
regulatory environment, there is no reason why we could
not do this in a safe and efficient manner. Changes are
needed to allow the development and wider use of dis-
tributed generation and small micro-grids [6, 8].
6.4. Smart Meter
The intelligent electronic device Smart meters serve as a
sensor network to achieve information exchange between
load-side and network. It is a computerized replacement
of the electrical meter attached to the outer walls of many
of our homes today. Each smart meter contains a proces-
sor, nonvolatile storage, and communication facilities. Its
main functions are hourly pricing, power quality detec-
tion, remote switching function and pre-paid fees func-
tion. Smart meters can track usage as a function of time
of day, disconnect a customer via software, or send out
alarms in case of problems [1,2,4].
7. Integration of Renewable Energy
Since penetration levels of renewable energy are likely to
continue increasing a rethink of the existing energy bal-
ancing paradigm may be requir ed. Fortunately, an opera-
tional smart grid has the po tential to mitigate some of th e
difficulties that are posed by high levels of renewable
energy generation. A smart grid takes advantage of po-
tential improvements that can be made to conventional
operation through the use of communications and infor-
mation. Current power system is unable to predict and
detect such variability and therefore cannot support or
control this. Besides effects on the grid varies with dif-
ferent penetration levels of wind and solar energy. Thus
reliability is a major concern now. So, a sensitive control
system is required which will consist efficient transmis-
sion, demand response and intelligent energy storage in
other words a smart grid can be adapted [5, 7].
An energy storage system is required to implement
renewable energy sources. While renewable energy can-
not necessarily be operated in a conventional manner, its
behavior can be predicted and the forecast information is
exactly the kind of information that a smart grid must use
to improve system efficiency. So, simply we can see that
renewable energy is an added advantage to Smart Grid
[5].
8. Performance Indicator for Future Smart
Grid
Smart Grid co-ordinate the needs and capabilities of all
generators, grid operators, end-users and electricity mar-
ket stakeholders. It operates all parts of the system as
efficiently as possible, minimizing costs and environ-
mental impacts while maximizing system reliability, re-
silience and stability. There is some indicator that meas-
ures that performance of smart grid [2, 3].
a) Quantified reduction of carbon emissions.
b) Environmental impact of electricity grid infrastruc-
tures.
c) Power system stability performance.
d) Percentage utilization of electricity grid elements.
e) Hosting capacity for distributed energy resources in
distribution grids.
f) Ratio of reliably available generation capacity and
peak demand.
g) Voltage quality performance of electricity grids.
h) Level of losses in transmission and in distribution
networks.

F. NAYAN ET AL.
1535
9. Challenges to Implement Smart Grid 10. Conclusion
Switching to smart grid from conventional grid is not an
easy task. Though energy consumption growth is high,
generation is failing to meet demand rate. A global statis-
tics on energy consumption is given below:
Energy shortage has become a global challenge. As the
country economy is mostly dependent on electrical en-
ergy, each and every nation is trying to recover their en-
ergy crisis. A developing country like Bangladesh needs
an efficient energy system to minimize the losses and
proper utilization of generated power. Smart Grid system
is the only one and proper solution. Bangladesh has bet-
ter prospect to implement Smart Grid technology. It is
possible to manufacture the equipments required to im-
plement Smart Grid in Bangladesh. Only some alteration
is needed to make it happen. At the same time some
moderation in transmission and distribution system can
be done. So Smart Grid can be a proper solution for Ban-
gladesh to overcome the power crisis problem and to face
the future impacts in power sector [1-4].
Challenges required to meet the implementation of
smart grid can be divided into two different types; secu-
rity challenges and integration challenges [2-4].
We can forecast our global energy consumption
growth fr om 2007 to 2050 by Figure 2 [9].
REFERENCES
[1] X. S. Zhou, L. Q. Cui and Y. J. Ma, “Research on Smart
Grid Technology,” 2010 IEEE International Conference
on Computer Application and System Modeling (IC-
CASM-2010), Vol. 3, 2010, pp. 599-603.
[2] C. W. Potter, A. Archambault and K. Westrick, “Building
a Smarter Smart Grid through Better Renewable Energy
Information,” IEEE Power Systems Conference and Ex-
position, 2009 (PSCE '09), 2009, pp. 1-5.
[3] J. Stragier, L. Hauttekeete and L. De Marez, “Introducing
Smart Grid in Residential Context’s: Consumers’ Percep-
tion of Smart Household Appliances,” 2010 IEEE Con-
ference on Innovative Technologies for an Efficient and
Reliable Electricity Supply (CITRES 2010), 2010, pp.
135-142.
Figure 2. Forecasted global energy consumption growth
(2007 to 2050)
9.1. Security Challenges
1. Network security of distributed systems across me-
ters, substations and in-home devices including authenti-
cation, detection, and monitoring.
[4] Position Paper on Smart Grids, “An ERGEG Conclusions
Paper,” European Regulator Group for Electricity & Gas
(ERGEG), 10 June 2010.
2. Identity & access management for managing cus-
tomer information. [5] Vision and Strategy for Europe’s Electricity Networks of
the Future, European Smart Grids Technology Platform,
Directorate-General for Research Sustainable Energy
Systems, EUR 22040.
3. Messaging and application security communica-
tions including data, network communications, and
transactions. [6] Technology Roadmap, Smart Grids, International Energy
Agency (IEA).
4. Security policy management and implementing web
services security standards. [7] ROA Group Korea Consultants, Introduction to Smart
Grid, Research on Asia (ROA) Group White Paper, July,
2009.
9.2. Integration Challenges [8] Electric Power Transmission and Distribution [EPTD]
Smart Grid Program.
1. Adoption of SOA arch itecture.
2. Web service enablement of legacy apps. [9] The Financial Express
[http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/] 3. Format bridging, transformation and routing.
4. Handling wi de variety of non-XM L dat a fo rmats.
5. Interfac i n g w i t h p a r tners an d c u s t o mers.