Data or electricity

Storage and communications

This edition of e-tech focuses on EES (Electrical Energy Storage) and data storage.

Storing electrical energy

The demand for electrical energy storage has grown tremendously in the past 10 or 15 years: for mobile electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets and computers; for transportation, with the development of hybrid and electric vehicles.

 

Electrical energy storage systems will be central to the development of Smart Grids and microgrids, to provide the most efficient and sustainable electricity services possible. EES (Electrical Energy Storage) is a central element of the functioning of the smart grid, enabling the management of peak demand, power quality, grid reliability and the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

 

IEC advisory and technical committees are essential to these developments. The IEC MSB (Market Strategy Board) recently published a White Paper on EES, which identifies challenges and outlines available technologies. It includes recommendations on research, regulation and standardization. Several IEC TCs prepare International Standards on batteries and other types of energy storage.

In the cloud

Cloud computing has become a hot topic in ICT (information and communication technology). Storing and processing data, accessing information and applications in the cloud, anytime and anywhere, faster and cheaper than through conventional means has proved to be very popular. The IEC, through ISO/IEC JTC (Joint Technical Committee) 1: Information technology, has initiated standardization work in the field of cloud computing.