The smart grid adds two-way data flow to a system that was designed for one-way power flow from large plants to passive consumers. Smart meters report consumption at short intervals, sensors on substations and lines report load and faults, and controls can shift flexible demand or dispatch stored energy. Rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles make this coordination necessary rather than optional.
IoT provides the sensing layer and much of the communication, often over cellular, Wi-SUN mesh or LPWAN. Programs such as demand response use the resulting data to reduce peaks. The constraints are security, since the grid is critical infrastructure, and the long lifetime of grid assets, which forces coexistence with decades-old equipment. See IoT in energy for the full picture.
Part of the IoT Glossary. Spotted an error or a missing term? Tell us.