- Smart Grid - Home
- Smart Grid Introduction
- What is an Electric Grid?
- Electric Grid Evolution
- What is a Smart Grid?
- Smart Grid - Functions
- Smart Grid - Characteristics
- Smart Grid - Advantages
- Smart Grid - Components
- Smart Grid - Challenges
- Smart Grid Technologies
- Smart Energy Resources
- Power System Automation
- Smart Substations
- Substation Automation
- Smart Grid - Feeder Automation
- Energy Management System
- Smart Grid - FACTS
- HVDC Transmission
- Wide Area Monitoring
- SCADA in Smart Grid
- Smart Grid - DMS
- Smart Grid - OMS
- Volt/VAR Control
- Smart Grid - FMSR
- Smart Grid - HEDT
- Phase Shifting Transformers
- Smart Grid - PHEV
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure
- Smart Meters - Introduction
- Smart Meters - AMI
- Smart Meters - AMIS
- Communication Architecture
- Drivers & Benefits
- Phasor Measurement Unit
- Intelligent Electronic Devices
- Power Quality Management
- Power Quality in Smart Grid
- Power Quality Issues
- Power Quality Monitoring Techniques
- Power Quality Conditioners
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
- Power Quality Audit
- Smart Grid Communication
- Smart Grid Communication
- Communication Network
- Communication Technologies
- Broadband Over Power Line
- Internet Protocols
- Web Services in Smart Grid
- Cloud Computing
- Multi Agent System Technology
- IP Based Protocols
- Cyber Security
IP Based Protocols and Communication Standards
Digital communication is the backbone that supports the seamless operation of smart grids. To ensure interoperability and lossless data exchange among different components of the smart grid system, various communication protocols and standards are established.
Read this chapter to learn about these IP (Internet Protocol) Based Protocols and Communication Standards used in smart grid systems.
These IP based protocols and communication standards are responsible for providing guidelines over which the smart grid communication system will be designed and worked on. Depending on the region or country, there are lots of standard bodies which are collaborating and working over a common goal to provide protocols and standards for smart grid communication.
Among hundreds of IP protocols and standards, certain important standards are listed below over which the smart grid communication architecture is built upon and they are −
- IEEE Standards − C37.1, 1379, 1547, and 1646
- IEC Standards − 61850, DNP3, 61968, 61970, and 62351
- NIST Standards − 1108 and 7628
Lets discuss each of these standards in detail.
IEEE Standards
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) has proposed several protocols and standards for the communications in smart grid systems. Some of the important IEEE standards regulating the smart grid communication are described below.
IEEE C37.1
It is the standard for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and automation systems in smart grids. In other words, the IEEE C37.1 standard describes the rules and functional requirements of the SCADA and automation system in smart grid.
The IEEE C37.1 standard also provides guidelines for system architecture and functions in a substation including human interfaces and implementation problems. This standard is responsible for ensuring interoperability, reliability, and efficient operation of the smart grid infrastructure.
IEEE 1379
The IEEE 1379 standard provides guidelines for substation automation. More specifically, it provides implementation recommendations for communication and interoperation of IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices) and RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) in a smart grid substation.
Therefore, the IEEE 1379 standard is responsible for improving the grid reliability and efficiency through enhanced monitoring, control, and protection in a substation.
IEEE 1547
The IEEE 1547 standard provides guidelines and recommendations for interconnecting distributed energy resources into the grid.
It also specifies rules and regulations for power system monitoring issues, power conversion techniques, power quality, abnormal and islanding cases, etc. It also verifies that the compliance of an interconnected system.
IEEE 1646
The IEEE 1646 standard defines requirements for communication delivery time and performance in an electrical substation automation system. In other words, this standard specifies the communication performance requirements for delivery time of data within a substation or between substation and control center.
To ensure that the communication delay time do not affect the performance of the substation automation system, the IEEE 1646 standard classify the substation communication into different categories and specifies communication delay requirements for each category.
IEC Standards
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has defined various standards on the communication and control of smart grid systems. Some of the important standards and protocols over which the communication setup is begin made up in smart grids are described below.
IEC 61850
The IEC 61850 standard specifies the rules and requirements for communication networks and systems for power utility automation. It provides guidelines on communication and data exchange between IEDs in a substation.
This standard also defines a set of protocols for a variety of services like TCP/IP, UDP/IP, etc. for time critical functions like fault isolation, routine communication, information exchange, etc.
IEC DNP3
DNS3 (Distributed Network Protocol 3) is a set of communication protocols used in SCADA and automation systems. This standard allows exchange of status and control information among electric devices used in substation automation. Therefore, it acts as a connecting link between master station and field devices like RTUs, IEDs, etc.
IEC 61968
The IEC 61968 standard specifies the rules and requirements for the integration of various applications within a distribution management system.
The IEC 61968 standard defines protocols for different systems for seamless data exchange and interoperability among them.
IEC 61970
The IEC 61970 standard specifies the protocols for information exchange between various applications in an energy management system. For this purpose, the IEC 61970 standard provides a common information model that provides integration and communication between these applications used in distribution and transmission domains.
IEC 62351
The IEC 62351 standard specifies the rules and requirements related to security in the smart grid communication. This standard provides guidelines for achieving security features for data transmission, data confidentiality, access control, and intrusion detection within a smart grid system.
NIST Standards
The National Institute of Standards and Technology have also defined several standards for providing guidelines to reliably implement smart grid communication. The important standards are described below.
NIST SP 1108
The NIST SP 1108 standard provides roadmap for the standards on the smart grid interoperability. It defines the important guidelines to ensure seamless integration of different systems and technologies within the smart grid system. It provides conceptual reference model, priority action plans, security assessment procedures, etc.
NIST SP 7628
The NIST SP 7628 standard focuses on smart grid cybersecurity related issues. It specifies the critical security problems and security architecture for reliable communication in automated energy management system.
This standard provides recommendations to protect the smart grid from cyber threats and privacy attacks.
Conclusion
There are different bodies like IEEE, IEC, and NIST that published different protocols and standards for successful implementation and operation of smart grid communication.
These standards specify the essential rules and guidelines that focus on reliable communication, interoperability, cybersecurity, and seamless integration of various technology within the smart grid. These standards provide a way for developing an efficient and sustainable smart grid systems.