Communication Networks
6.5 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SMART GRID IMPLEMENTATIONS This section presents several basic guidelines that should be followed when
design-ing SG networks. The design steps that should be followed are:
• Proper definition of the SG requirements: The first step when implementing SGs is to define the relevant requirements according to the DSO specifica-tions. Many DSOs have deployed backbone fiber communication networks to monitor their crucial operations, especially in the high-voltage grid [53];
hence, in many cases, SNs are already deployed. On the other hand, DSOs have not yet deployed last-mile communication networks to exchange infor-mation with the various nodes of the transmission and distribution grids as well as with the end users. In these cases, the deployment of NANs and FANs is imperative. Therefore, the current stage of SG penetration in each case will determine the priorities in SGN deployment.
Despite the specific needs of DSOs, all SGNs should enable end users’ con-nectivity with the utilities’ premises through a reliable, secure, highly avail-able, cost-effective, and resilient infrastructure. The need for reliability and security may lead to the selection of wired options for SGN implementation, whereas the necessity for optimal management of the cost–resilience trade-off
146 Smart Grids may lead to the installation of redundant infrastructures or sophisticated PLC transmission schemes and optimal network planning, as indicated in [54].
• SG services: After the requirements imposed by the DSOs have been speci-fied and the SGN type has been selected, the SG services must be defined.
There are many reviews on QoS requirements of various SG services deployed over NANs, FANs, or SNs. As previously discussed in this chap-ter, SNs incorporate delay-sensitive applications. However, most of these networks have already been deployed and are properly managed. As far as DA is considered, the service requirements might vary significantly, since protection services impose strict delay constraints, whereas, on the other hand, metering services might be more tolerant to delays. In the case of NANs, the need for security, resilience, and anonymity calls for a robust and scalable SGN rather than a high-capacity one.
• Communications network support: Directly related to the SG services is the selection of the SGN transmission medium. To support mission-critical applications, the implementation of one-hop communication technologies is imperative; hence, wireless cognitive approaches are preferable. On the other hand, PLC seems preferable for delay-tolerant applications. The ser-vices QoS specified in the previous step usually leads to the deployment of hybrid networks. Techniques that offer interoperability or handle the per-formance trade-offs of the various transmission options are necessary. The SG interoperability standard [18] defines the interfaces between various SG entities, but does not handle issues related to data aggregation techniques or to the interoperability of various communications schemes.
• Design of IT applications: Last but not least is the design of IT applications that constitute the interface of the SG nodes with the SG. As far as utilities are concerned, these applications should address the issue of big data; that is, they should effectively handle the data generated by the SG devices. In this context, many application-based platforms employing semantic reposi-tories [55] or cloud-based approaches [56] are considered in the literature.
Regardless of the application platform employed, the introduction of novel aggregation schemes leads to a significant reduction of unnecessary net-work traffic, enhancing the SGN performance.
6.6 CONCLUSIONS
The transition toward smart power grids that support two-way flows of energy and information is imperative. In this framework, new services are introduced related to energy systems, communications platforms, and IT applications. The PLC transmis-sion option is a strong candidate to support the various types of SGNs that should interoperate to offer reliable, end-to-end SG services:
1. BB-PLC gives rise to a high-capacity infrastructure capable of efficiently handling the traffic generated by CPNs.
2. Both NB-PLC and BB-PLC options may collect the traffic generated by CPNs and route this to the utilities’ back offices, thus supporting NANs’
Role of PLC Technology in Smart Grid Communication Networks 147
communication. When combined with data aggregation techniques, PLC may satisfy an essential prerequisite of the SG, namely, preserving infor-mation anonymity. Also, when combined with injected power control, slot reuse in TDMA-based PLC transmission enhances network performance to meet the QoS constraints of time-critical applications.
3. NB-PLC seems appropriate to handle the low-rate traffic generated in het-erogeneous FANs, especially when transmission of SG information from remote SGC nodes on the MV grid is required. When combined with the use of efficient network layer protocols, FANs may support the seamless integration of wireless and wired segments, increasing network availability.
In conclusion, there is no specific approach to designing SGNs. SG applications of variable QoS responding to different DSOs’ requirements may lead to different SG implementations. The need for resilience, security, reliability, and scalability, combined with the need for a cost-effective design, will determine how the various communications networks supporting the SG will be implemented.
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