A Case Study of Implementing a Localized Smart Grid in Developing Countries

ahmedomer27 at gmail dot com fahadjaved at lums dot edu dot pk naveedarshad at lums dot edu dot pk Phone:+92-42-35722670 Fax: +92-42-35898315 Smart grids and its related applications can potentially provide us with a fascinating ways to improve existing electric distribution networks. However, to realize most of the applications envi-sioned in smart grid a large scale infra-structural transformation is needed in the current electric distribution network. This requires considerable resources as well as time. For developing coun-tries this problems becomes even more problem-atic for two reasons: First, they have fewer fi-nancial resources to invest in smart grid technol-ogy, second most of these countries already have an energy crisis and need for better management is needed urgently. This study examines various technologies that are already available in devel-oping countries which can be used for smart grid applications. The technologies in this study can provide a scalable communication backbone for demand side monitoring, management and con-trol. We compare the cost and effectiveness of these technologies with existing methods used for mitigating supply shortfall related problems in developing world