The Incredible Technology Making The Smart Grid A Reality [Infographic]

For many years now, technologists have been talking about the smart grid – a network that would automatically adjust energy from traditional providers, solar panels, and wind to maximize the use of renewables and minimize outages. The need for a smart grid is more important today than ever before because of the sheer number of new energy technologies becoming feasible at a large scale.

The main problem the smart grid needs to solve today is integrating multiple sources of energy. Wind and solar, unlike gas, coal, oil and nuclear, are time-varying. A solar panel can only collect energy while the sun shines. A wind farm can only generate electricity when the wind blows. The smart grid, therefore, needs to scale back “base power” provided by traditional utilities when solar and wind become available, and then ramp up energy generation by traditional plants when renewables wane.

The smart grid also has to deal with the emerging battery electricity storage options. Tesla recently installed a battery array in Australia to store energy collected from solar panels during the day and then distribute it to people in the evenings without having to resort to expensive baseload generation.

None of this would be possible; however, without the introduction of machine learning: intelligent software that can react to multiple changes in energy supply and demand in real-time. Machine learning negates the need for thousands of human monitors. Take a look at the following infographic. It shows why we need a smart grid and the technologies making it possible. Check it out below.


Infographic by University of California – Riverside

Arsenal Transfer Rumours – 15th July 2019

Celtic are said to be unsatisfied by Arsenal’s latest offer for Kieran Tierney, according to a new report. According to the Daily Record, the Hoops have yet to receive a bid that meets their £25m valuation of the Scottish full-back. The paper claims that Celtic and the Gunners have been in constant dialogue with each other all summer, but have yet to find a middle ground in negotiations. Arsenal’s reported offer made on Saturday evening proposed a package that would have been paid in appearance-based installments. The North London giants have previously had a £15m bid turned down for the 22-year-old, but have yet to give up on the defender. Should the Gunners meet Celtic’s full evaluation, Tierney will become the most expensive player in Scottish football history. In 2018, Celtic were paid £19.8m by Lyon for Moussa Dembele, which was a then-record. But Arsenal will have to top that to get their man.

Arsenal are one of three English clubs interested in signing free agent Dani Alves, according to reports in Spain. The Brazilian right back just enjoyed a stellar Copa America as his country lifted the South American championship on home soil. Alves, 36, is available on a free transfer after he was released by PSG. Premier League champions Manchester City and the Gunners’ North London rivals Tottenham are also said to be in touch with Alves’ representatives. Arsenal struggled at right-back last term after Hector Bellerin suffered a season-ending knee injury. They toiled with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and although he impressed in parts, his best position is in central midfield. It was also reported that Bellerin is likely to miss the start of next season, so Alves would provide perfect cover at the Emirates.

The club have reportedly held talks over bringing Gremio winger Everton Soares to the Emirates. The 23-year-old was top goalscorer at the Copa America where he netted in the final against Peru to help Brazil win their first title since 2007. According to Globo Esporte, Arsenal’s new technical director Edu – who recently left his role as general coordinator of the Brazilian national team – held talks with Everton’s agent Gilmar Veloz on Monday. They state the Europa League finalists are now preparing a formal offer for the player. It has also been claimed that Edu spoke to Everton about Arsenal during the Copa America, with the former midfielder relaying information about the winger back to the club. Everton has confirmed that he has been approached by a team, where he revealed that he cannot guarantee he will be in action for Gremio against Bahia on Wednesday.