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The Role of Smart Grids in Enhancing Electrical Safety
• Remote Monitoring & Control: This enables safety managers and engineers to monitor the whole system from any place and in real-time. This technology allows them to address potential issues even when they are not in the area and mitigate risks before they can pose any real issues to the workplace.
• Advanced Data Analytics for Equipment Performance: Using this technology will allow smart grids to predict when a machine or equipment is likely to fail or need maintenance. With this, potential safety hazards related to equipment failure and malfunction can be avoided.
• Renewable Energy: Implementing renewable energy technology with smart grids is a good way to make sure that the power supply remains stable and reliable. It also reduces the chances of power outages, which means that related safety incidents can also be prevented.
Future Directions
With smart grids and IoT, the future of electrical safety looks more promising - but this is just the beginning. Integrating more advanced technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and even quantum computing into smart grids and IoT technology will more likely happen and when it does, it will further change the way we manage, distribute, and even use electricity.
For instance, AI algorithms can learn and improve from vast data inputs and if this is leveraged to improve the predictive analytics capabilities of smart grids, then the system can easily adapt to the changing energy demands in real-time.
Moreover, the industry also expects the continued expansion of IoT technology in a way that the number and variety of devices that can be connected to the grid will greatly increase. When this happens, it could result in more interactive, responsive, and even self-healing grids that can automatically reroute power from potential electrical faults or outages. One benefit of this development could be a safer workplace environment.
Overall, innovations in the electrical industry are expected to continue in a fast-paced manner. Although this might sound good at first, this also means that electrical systems can become more complex to manage in the long run. Still, the most important thing is that with these advancements, workplace safety should always be one of the most prioritized factors to consider.
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
About the Author
Herbert Post, Vice President at TRADESAFE, has over 16 years of experience in workplace safety across diverse industrial settings, including manufacturing and petrochemical plants. Raised within a family involved in heavy manufacturing, Herb has a deep-rooted understanding of safety compliance and factory processes. He specializes in continuous and additive manufacturing, developing safety protocols and creating accessible, technical safety resources. Herb's work is widely recognized in industry publications, showcasing his commitment to enhancing safety in high-risk environments.