Smart Grid - Communication Network

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A smart grid communication network is basically a large interconnected network different small networks like home area network, local area network, and wide area network.

Read this chapter to get a good understanding of the functions and characteristics of all these sub-networks of the smart grid communication network. At the core, the smart grid communication network provides a link between different nodes of the smart grid like devices and systems and provides a mean for flow of signals and data.

What is Smart Grid Communication Network?

A smart grid communication network is an advanced communication infrastructure that provides reliable, efficient, and high-speed channels for transmission of data and information among different components and systems of a smart grid system.

Smart grid communication network is a sophisticated and specially designed communication network that can support digital technologies and protocols and can provide real-time monitoring and control over generation, distribution, and consumption of electrical energy.

The primary aim of smart grid communication network is to connect different components of the smart grid system together and allow them to exchange data across the grid.

Functions of Smart Grid Communication Network

Here is a list of some of the key functions that a smart grid communication network performs −

• Smart grid communication network provides a mean for data transmission among different parts of the electric grid like generating stations, substations, smart meters, and other monitoring and control devices.
• Smart grid communication network enables real-time monitoring of grid operation and performance.
• Smart grid communication network also enables remote control of grid operations.
• It provides a bidirectional communication between utility and consumers.
• Smart grid communication network helps in monitoring and managing distributed energy resources across the grid from a distant location.
• Smart grid communication network implements robust security measures to protect the entire smart grid system from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
• Smart grid communication network also allows expansion of the existing electricity system to increase its capacity.

Types of Smart Grid Communication Networks

Depending on the physical configuration and area covered, the smart grid communication networks can be classified into the following three main types −

• Home Area Network (HAN)
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Lets discuss about each type of smart grid communication network and its characteristics.

1. Home Area Network (HAN)

In smart grid systems, HAN or Home Area Network is the smallest communication network which covers the area within a home or a building. This network is primarily designed to connect homes smart devices like smart meters, smart appliances, and energy management system.

The block diagram of a typical home area network (HAN) is depicted in the following figure.

The primary aim of implementing home area network in smart grid is to allow home owners monitor and control their energy consumption in real-time. The most widely used communication technologies in home area networks include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, ethernet, cellular network, etc.

Characteristics of Home Area Network

The following are some important characteristics of the home area network in smart gird communication −

• HAN allows consumers to monitor and control their energy utilization in real-time.
• HAN allows consumers to optimize their energy usage and reduce their electricity bill amount.
• HAN plays a vital role in home automation, as it allows remote operation and control of home appliances.
• HAN uses digital communication technologies which are vulnerable to cybersecurity issues and lead data breaches.
• For consumers who are not technology friendly, HAN and smart appliances can become a challenge to manage.
• The seamless operation of HAN requires complex communication connectivity.
• HAN requires relatively higher cost for setting up.
• HAN provides a limited communication range, typically within a home or a building.

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

In smart grid communication, the local area network (LAN) is a communication network that connects several home area networks (HANs) and spreads over a limited geographical area like a society or a campus.

In case of smart grid systems, LAN provides a communication between several home area networks and the local data concentrator as shown in the following figure.

LAN is also used in smart grid communication networks to connect different components within a large substation or multiple nearby substations.

Therefore, local area networks provide data exchange facility between field devices, smart meters, and control systems within a local area.

Characteristics of Local Area Network

The following are some major characteristics and properties of local area network in smart grid communication −

• LAN provides high-speed data communication among various smart grid components. This is important for real-time monitoring of smart grid systems.
• LAN covers relatively smaller geographical area like a society or a campus. Hence, it is less susceptible to external interferences and more reliable.
• LAN provides a reliable method for collecting energy consumption data from home area networks and store them in local data concentrators.
• LAN is relatively complex than HAN due to increased number of interconnected devices.
• Similar to any other digital communication network, LAN is also sensitive to unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN or Wide Area Network is a large communication network which combines several HANs and LANs along with various other components like local data concentrators, central controllers, etc.

In smart grid systems, WAN is used to provide communication between various entities of a large system such as generating stations, transmission substations, distribution substations, etc. It is known as the backbone of smart grid communication.

The most commonly used communication technologies in wide area networks include ethernet, IP based networks, WiMax, long range microwave transmission, etc.

Characteristics of Wide Area Network

The following are some key characteristics of wide area network in smart grid communication −

• WAN covers a large geographical area across the smart grid.
• It provides a centralized monitoring and control mechanism in the smart grid.
• It integrates all components of the power system like generating stations, transmission and distribution networks, control centers, distributed energy resources, etc.
• WAN uses priority-based communication mechanism to ensure on time delivery of critical data.
• It is the most expensive communication network in smart grid among all three networks.
• In terms of design and maintenance, WAN is the most complex and requires specialized knowledge and expertise.
• WAN covers a large area and long-distance transmission of data. This makes it vulnerable to cyber security issues.

Conclusion

Communication networks play an important role in smart grid infrastructure. Depending on the area covered and functions performed, smart grid communication networks are broadly classified into three types namely, Home Area Network (HAN), Local Area Network (LAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN). Each type of network has its own characteristics and applications in smart grid which are discussed above in detail.