EET-370 SPRING 2011

Communications Systems of the Smart

Grid
Designing and meeting the Smart Grid
Communications Requirements

John B. Richardson

2/24/2011
 Abstract

This topic will discuss the design requirements of integrated Smart Grid
Communication Systems. Using references from real world government and
industry, the challenges of developing of the communications infrastructure will be
examined. These challenges will include initial development, technological
challenges, and of course cost. Additionally, this paper will discuss selected views
on how all these challenges will be met. It will compare and contrast competitors in
order to analyze different viewpoints on the Smart Grid Communications Solution.
 The Department of Energy, (DOE) published a 69 page document in October 2010
outlining its recommendations on the subject of Communications Requirements of
Smart Grid Technologies. The DOE is in the process of awarding $4.015 billion
dollars for Smart Grid investment and demonstration, so it is certain that industry is
interested in what DOE perceives as communication requirements. Forty six
companies responded for DOE's Request for information in order to develop their
document.

Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (FERC) and the Nation
Institute for Standards and Technology, (NIST), have listed six priorities of the
Smart Grid. Wide Area Situational Awareness is item 4 of those listed. The
successful implementation of a viable communications will be a key factor in in
achieving this priority.

The Smart Grid interoperability Panel, (SGIP), has already recommended 1400
requirements and 18 different use cases for the Smart Grid as a whole. The
requirements appropriate to communications system will be gleaned from the
recommendations and discussed.

The numerous technologies available to solve the Smart Grid Communications

Solution, (SGC), ranging from twisted copper pair telephone wire, to Home Area
Networks, (HAN), and Wide area Situation Awareness, (WASA). In order to meet the
requirements and time-lines of this paper , primary focus will be directed toward a
top down approach. In a two pronged approach, larger parts of the communication
infrastructure such as the WASA will be discussed along with proposed industry
solutions to those to those requirements. If time, (and paper), permits, I will end
the discussion with a look at some proposed benefits for the household or end user
of Smart Grid Communications.