Review: Role of cloud computing in grid empowerment

Smart grid is an enhancement of traditional electric grid which provides two way communication and information technologies and computational facilities for data storage across all sectors of electricity to achieve efficient, secure and reliable electric system. Reliability of nation's bulk power system can be improved by incorporating an interconnection wide real time monitoring system to provide system operators a real time instant picture of power system operation. This can be achieved by incorporating cloud computing technique for performing communication between substations and power supply companies' power plants. Due to the lack of situational awareness and real time monitoring tools in India's grid major blackout occurred in nearly 8 states on 30^th July 2012. To avoid this real time instant picture of power system operating conditions can be provided by using cloud computing technique with provision for storing historical data. Flexible resources and services shared in network, parallel processing are some features of cloud computing that are desirable for smart grid applications. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing data storage, processing and bandwidth. This paper explores the advantages of cloud computing technique over other communications techniques used to provide communication in power system various sectors.