SiTime Corporation

01/28/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2025 17:10

Smart Energy Grid: Precision Timing for Energy Infrastructure Resilience

Smart Energy Grid: Precision Timing for Energy Infrastructure Resilience

January 28, 2025
|by

The winter storm Uri hit the heart of Texas in February 2021, knocking out power for roughly 4.5 million residents. 210 citizens died as a result of the storm and the financial losses are estimated at $80 to $130 billion. There were many causes for the disruption in power, ranging from generation unit outages to troubles in transmission and distribution, including a maximum load shed and the lowest grid frequency ever experienced in the state. Uri is just one example that underscores the importance of a resilient energy infrastructure. As extreme weather conditions become more common, continuity of service during system stress is never more important.

Today's power grids are complex with a wide mix of energy sources, including gas, coal, nuclear, wind and solar. This is overlayed by a dizzying array of technologies involved in power production, storage and transmission and distribution. These technologies and the data signals moving through them must be precisely synchronized. One weak link in the infrastructure can disrupt power access for households and businesses.

To better ensure reliable power access, the power grid is becoming smarter. Cutting edge sensors, processing power, advanced communications and more are enabling more efficient and resilient power grids. This article focuses on how timing devices are critical components of a smart energy grid to keep the power flowing.

Why the Existing Power Grid Is Fragile

The power grid is fragile due to aging infrastructure, centralized design and an inability to meet modern energy demands. Built decades ago, many components are deteriorating and prone to failure. A centralized structure creates single points of failure, where issues at major nodes can trigger widespread outages. External threats like extreme weather and cyberattacks targeting outdated systems increase the fragility. Additionally, the grid struggles to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind, highlighting its inability to adapt to modern energy needs.

Demand figures into a power grid's resilience. Operators must maintain grid frequency within a narrow tolerance (e.g., ±0.050 Hz from 60 Hz in North America or 50 Hz in Europe). The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the organization who manages the Texas grid, warns that prolonged frequency deviation can rupture AC connections and damage equipment. In fact, high demand exceeding supply causes frequency drops, forcing power plant shutdowns or blackouts, while low demand with high supply raises frequency, requiring supply cuts. These vulnerabilities leave the grid ill-equipped for a more electrified future.

In the case of Uri, the demand for power was up due to the freezing temperatures. The frequency of the grid on February 15 was below 59.4 Hz for four minutes and 23 seconds. "The entire system was within minutes of collapse, which would have required a 'black start' that could have taken days if not weeks (or even months) to implement. To restart would require a slow process of starting individual plants and then building the grid back up gradually," states the paper Cascading Risks: Understanding the 2021 Winter Blackout in Texas in Energy Research & Social Science.

What Is a SmartGrid?

A smart grid is an advanced energy network that integrates modern communication and automation technologies to optimize the generation, distribution and consumption of electricity. Unlike traditional grids, it enables two-way communication between energy providers and consumers, allowing real-time monitoring, demand management and fault detection. Smart grids support the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, enhancing sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. They also improve energy efficiency, reliability and resilience by quickly identifying and addressing outages or imbalances. By leveraging sensors, data analytics and control systems, smart grids create a more adaptive and intelligent energy infrastructure tailored to meet evolving energy demands.

How Timing Chips Enable Smart Grids

Timing chips are crucial in a smart grid because they provide precise synchronization for communication, data processing and control across the grid. Accurate timing ensures that distributed energy resources, such as renewable energy systems and energy storage, can seamlessly integrate and coordinate with the grid's operations. They enable real-time monitoring, fault detection and load balancing, which are essential for maintaining grid stability and efficiency. Furthermore, timing chips support secure and reliable communication between electronic devices, reducing latency and minimizing errors in critical grid operations, making them a foundational component of smart grid infrastructure.

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SiTime offers precision timing products for energy grid applications. For instance, the SiTime Super-TCXOTM is used for precise synchronization of data transmission, frequency stability and fault detection and response.

Timing chips are essential for:

  • Frequency Stability: Precise frequency of the grid (e.g., 50 Hz or 60 Hz) ensures stability even during fluctuations in energy supply and demand.

  • Fault Detection and Response: Accurate timing is critical for identifying and responding to faults in milliseconds, preventing outages from cascading through the grid.

  • Integration of Renewable Energy: Timing devices help manage the variable output of solar and wind energy by synchronizing storage systems and grid operations.

  • Energy Storage: Timing chips enable precise synchronization and communication in energy storage systems, optimizing performance, efficiency and integration with the power grid.

Why Choose SiTime for Smart Energy Grid Applications

SiTime precision oscillators incorporate MEMS resonators and advanced analog circuitry, superseding traditional quartz-based oscillators for smart energy grid applications including advanced sensors that monitor grid performance, voltage fluctuations and other critical parameters. Timing devices are critical in communication networks transmitting data between various grid components, enabling real-time control and optimization. They are also optimal solutions for storage applications such as, energy storage systems (ESS) and battery management systems (BMS).

SiTime precision timing devices are highly robust and more resistant to environmental stressors than competing quartz devices. These stressors can include temperature fluctuations, vibration and mechanical shock, which are common in field-deployed grid equipment. MEMS durability enhances the reliability of smart grid systems, especially in outdoor or harsh environments. Additionally, MEMS timing devices are smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient than quartz oscillators, aligning with the design goals of compact and energy-conscious grid equipment. As smart grids evolve to become more complex and interconnected, the growing adoption of MEMS precision timing technology is expected to drive greater efficiency and resilience in timing-critical smart energy grid systems.

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