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Electricity for the 21st Century - for all
Power generation and distribution in direct current can bring electricity to the hundreds of millions of people denied access to the benefits of modern lifeTake a look around you. Is there anything we can do without electricity? Be it lighting, education, healthcare, productive work of almost any kind - everything requires electricity. And yet, today, there are around 1,1 billion people worldwide without any electricity access at all. Not providing electricity is the same as denying the fundamental right to be part of today’s opportunities in an increasingly connected world. Direct current (DC) electricity could be the solution.
Energy access: key to economic and societal development
ARE Forum focuses on integrating remote communities into economiesElectricity access is one of the key drivers for economic development, better healthcare, increased safety, education, as well as efficiency gains in agriculture and manufacturing.
Tried and tested
LVDC projects pave the way for standardizationA number of low voltage direct current (LVDC) trials are preparing the ground for a wider use of the technology, both in developed and developing countries.
A place in the sun
Standards for solar PV support market needsAs the price of photovoltaic (PV) systems continues to tumble and the requirement for cleaner renewable forms of energy grows, more and more of our energy needs will be met by PV-generated power. The IEC is a leader in the field of PV standardization which falls under the responsibility of IEC Technical Committee (TC) 82: Solar photovoltaic energy systems. The TC is publishing International Standards which facilitate market growth and global trade in this crucial sector.
Powering the planet
Electricity is the modern lifelineElectric power is so much more than switching on a light bulb, and the havoc wreaked by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September was a stark reminder of this.
Strengthening participation
IEC Affiliate Country Programme committed to provide invaluable support to developing countriesEach year sees an increase not only in the number of countries participating in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme but also in the number of International Standards adopted as national ones, national electrotechnical committees (NECs) established and Affiliate Plus status granted. In the past 12 months, the Affiliate Secretariat has been extremely busy supporting participants in the Programme through workshops, seminars, webinars and training sessions, to name but a few of the support activities organized to raise awareness and know-how in developing countries.
Sustainable RE needs global cooperation, standardization and innovation
In recent years, several important international agreements have been concluded, to accelerate renewable energy access and advance energy efficiencyAmong these, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Sustainable Energy for All (SDG 7), while the year ended in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, where 195 countries agreed to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius
Lighting the road ahead
New technologies set fresh challenges for IEC TC 34The lighting sector is experiencing a deep transformation across the world as new energy-efficient lighting technologies that first appeared a few years ago gain wide adoption. They are being adopted throughout the world as countries seek to control their energy consumption. IEC Technical Committee (TC) 34: Lamps and related equipment, and its Subcommittees (SCs), develop International Standards for electric light sources including energy-efficient lighting solutions.
Ready for the Smart Grid?
The IEC is updating Standards which have wide repercussions on Smart GridsAs the use of Smart Grids escalates around the world, the IEC is busy updating some of its most requested International Standards. Technical Committee (TC) 57: Power systems management and associated information exchange, is working on the IEC 61850 series of Standards.
Energy Efficiency starts at home
Manufacturers address energy usage in home appliancesToday, numerous machines and devices powered by electricity can be found in our homes. Take, for example, the kitchen. This room alone probably has a dishwasher, an oven and a fridge, not to mention an array of smaller appliances for preparing and cooking food.
LVDC for sustainable electricity access needs standardization
IEC and KEBS host first global LVDC ConferenceOver 170 participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin and North America attended the Conference.
Towards sustainable, Smart Communities
G7 Summit, 26-27 May 2017 in Taormina, ItalyTo mark the occasion of the 2017 G7 Summit, an article about the IEC contribution in dealing with climate change in cities and communities, written by Frans Vreeswijk, General Secretary and CEO, appears in the official G7 magazine.
IEC calls on disruptive technology for universal energy access
Announcing the LVDC Conference on Sustainable Electricity Access, 22-23 May 2017, in NairobiEnergy, and especially electricity, is the golden thread that impacts the majority of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and furthermore, the development of every nation and economy. The UN recognizes electricity access as a key pillar for economic development because it helps to reduce poverty and hunger, improves educational opportunities and enables higher quality healthcare.
IEC work on cyber security for energy infrastructure
International conference presents IEC activities in cyber securityProtecting energy security and critical energy infrastructure against cyber attacks is fast emerging as an absolute priority. In mid-February, the EnergyPact Foundation organized an international conference in Vienna on cyber security aimed at protecting such infrastructure. Eyal Adar, an expert on cyber security, outlined the extent of IEC standardization and Conformity Assessment (CA) activities in the domain, giving details of the areas to which they apply.
Aiming for 100% interoperability
Standards are part of the solution to make smart everything fully connectedThe past year may not have seen significant breakthroughs in the tech world but 2017 is promising some interesting technological developments.
Energy efficiency trickles down into large applications
Essential in energy-hungry domains such as industry and buildingsAchieving better Electrical Energy Efficiency (EEE) is a very broad task that extends well beyond the more efficient transformation of primary energy, chiefly fossil fuels, into electrical energy. It must be introduced in energy-intensive sectors like industry and buildings. Standardization work by numerous IEC Technical Committees (TCs) is central to this broader objective.
Standardization can help millions access electricity
IEC approves Systems Committee for LVDCIt has been a busy year for Systems Evaluation Group (SEG) 4: Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) Applications, Distribution and Safety for use in Developed and Developing Economies. During the IEC 2016 General Meeting (GM) in Frankfurt, SEG 4 Convenor, Vimal Mahendru, presented a final report to the Standardization Management Board (SMB). The SMB voted in favour of the proposal to set up a Systems Committee (SyC) for LVDC and LVDC for electricity access.
Smart Energy
A global path towards Energy Efficiency and sustainable developmentNava provides insights into a Mexican programme that aims to increase energy efficiency with consumers and the need to encourage the take-up of renewable energy sources.
Smart cities to boost energy efficiency
A wide range of technologies will help cities optimize energy useIn hundreds of smart city projects around the world, governments, municipalities and private stakeholders are investing in smart grids, open data platforms and networked transport systems to meet the challenges of environmental sustainability, population growth and urbanization.
What makes energy smart?
Energy-efficient technological advances will benefit everyoneEnergy in itself is not smart. What makes it smart then? The numerous technological advances that allow companies and household to use energy more efficiently.
Tackling energy efficiency from the start
Better energy efficiency is central to our future energy supply and to sustain growthEnergy efficiency represents the biggest source of untapped energy in the world and, by helping slowing down final energy consumption, one of the main contributors in the reduction of noxious gases emissions. Improved electrical energy efficiency is made possible by standardization work performed by many IEC Technical Committees (TCs) and starts with electricity generation, distribution and storage.
Electricity access is key
Message from Frans Vreeswijk, IEC General Secretary & CEOIEC work impacts all aspects of life. Electricity and electronics are the cornerstone for all economies in developing and developed countries. IEC International Standards together with IEC Conformity Assessment Systems support 12 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ensuring renewable energy systems are safe
IEC promotes the development of renewable sources for electricity production through standardization and certificationRenewable Energy (RE) plays an increasingly important role in providing global populations with clean, affordable, sustainable energy. RE production and use continues to increase thanks to the falling cost of equipment and installation.
Standards support Smart Grid architecture
IEC International Standards will play critical role in Smart Grid power supply and distribution infrastructuresInformation is gathered and decision making occurs at substation level in Smart Grids. The electricity-dispatching control centre deals with the strategic management of grid intelligence, while automated management handles transmission and distribution. An intelligent substation reports electricity consumption, switchboard operation, information gathering, and station decision making back to the electricity dispatching control centre. Generally, substations are unattended and rely on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) for remote supervision and control.
The rise of renewable energies
The falling cost of equipment and installation together with increased investment are driving the growth of renewable energiesDuring the United Nations Climate Convention – 2015 Paris COP 21, it was recognized that renewable energy (RE) is a key part of the answer to achieving sustainable development and reducing the impact of climate change. Global electricity networks must adapt and include RE technologies.
The off-grid solar revolution
Off-grid solar powered products are booming and giving millions of people access to electricityWe don’t think twice about using lights at home during the day or after dark. We have also got used to charging our smart phones wherever we are – at the airport, on a train or in the office – so that we can make online purchases, read the news, send messages, do banking or make a call. When we forget our phones or there is a blackout for an hour and we can’t watch television, use the computer or boil the kettle, we find it very annoying, but imagine if this were the norm.
Electricity access for everyone, everywhere
Facilitating rural electrification in developing and newly industrialized countriesWorld energy consumption is expected to grow by 37% by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) energy markets forecast, which assumes the continuation of existing policies and measures and their implementation.
Cooling data centre energy demand
Cutting energy needs for operating and cooling data centres emerges as a priority for the futureContinuing global growth in the on-line sector and so-called cloud services means a comparable and significant increase in the power use associated with those services. Major internet-based businesses such as Google, Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft are pushing for more dedicated renewable energy to meet their specific needs, but systems efficiency can also make a major contribution to curbing energy use. Emerging standards have a key role to play.
The growing importance of global-scale renewable energy
IEC provides a framework to test and certify renewable energy technologyOver the last five years, the cost of renewable power generation technologies has dropped while the technology has improved. Biomass for power, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind can all now provide electricity competitively compared to fossil fuel-fired power generation, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The “Internet” of Energy
Building one global grid with electricity superhighwaysOn 30 and 31 March 2016, the first International Conference on Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) took place in Beijing, China. The event was initiated by State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Edison Institute and Caring for Climate (C4C), and co-organized among others with the IEC. Dr Shu, IEC Vice President and President of SGCC, and Frans Vreeswijk, IEC General Secretary & CEO, both presented how such a vision can be brought to reality, to an audience of more than 500 people.
Reverse mode fuel cells for energy storage
Using fuel cell modules in reverse mode will improve energy storage for renewablesA sense of collective responsibility is required to cope with the growing dependence on energy, given the fundamentally unpredictable nature of primary energy supply, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and changing energy consumption demands and patterns. The growing need for decentralized (local or remote, residential or commercial) power generation calls for systems that maximize small-scale electrical efficiency. Fuel cells (FCs) are ideal candidates for fulfilling this demand. In fact, at 60% proven net electrical efficiency for generators with a power output as low as 1 kWe, FC systems are head and shoulders above any other fuel conversion technology. If they are to succeed in being deployed widely, FCs for stationary applications should be able to use any locally available fuel. When and if production volumes manage to cover the extensive need for small-to-medium scale generation – which will also depend on the realization of anticipated reductions in cost – there is no reason why FCs should not also be used on the largest scales of power production.
Power to the people
Be energy efficient, make a differenceOn the one hand, energy efficiency is a new way of life that requires behavioural changes on the consumer’s part. On the other, the pressure is on the manufacturers of electrical equipment and devices to produce goods that consume as little energy as possible.
Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals
IEC now officially at home in AfricaEnergy is the life-blood of developed and developing economies. IEC work helps enable broad access to sustainable energy and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by providing universally accessible technical know-how and expertise in the form of International Standards. With them countries are able to build safer, more affordable infrastructure that is easier to maintain. To be even closer to Africa, the IEC has now opened a Regional Centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.