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New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Communications a mission critical enabler for the smart distribution network


Wim DHondt Accenture Wim.dhondt@accenture.com

Focus of Talk

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

The talk outlines the role of communications as a key enabler to the smart distribution network. It makes the case that innovation in grid capabilities is increasingly dependent on communication capabilities. Required capabilities are briefly explained and key challenges outlined. It concludes with a clear need for integrating power engineering systems, communications and IT and recommendations on how utilities should skill up, collaborate with industry and regulators, educate suppliers on utility needs and lead the way towards standardization.

Power Engineering innovation requires increasingly more cost-effective and capable Communications

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Increased demand because of more innovative uses (electric vehicles, smart cities, high resolution synchrophasors) will require more capable, reliable, efficient and affordable 2-way data communication The search for increased efficiencies in Grid operations and distributed generation requires the communications architecture to become increasingly more agile in supporting distributed a distributed architecture

Challenges with existing communications paradigm


Historically Communication links purpose-build and exclusive for each application Challenges

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Building purpose build links for new applications is not cost effective and existing links are rapidly becoming unsupportable Cost of communications was holding back deployment of comms in distribution. Next Generation SCADA / control schemes will require high resolution data create a Data Tsunami Interconnection required to enhance situational awareness between utilities

Limited network connectivity especially in distribution networks Existing SCADA systems create trickles of Data Limited integration of utilities with neighbors.

Key Challenges that need to be addressed


Business Requirements
Cost effective solutions that support Plug and Play Applications Ubiquitous coverage including hard to reach and hazardous locations Support expected Data Tsunami

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Approach
Integrated communications network that can support multiple applications Complement wired and wireless technologies Efficient datatransfer mechanisms that support realtime communications/monitoring

Support for high availability throughout Combine technologies and architectures to the grid (up to 99,999+%) suit requirements Support long 10-15 year lifecycle Provide secure and efficient interconnectivity with neighbors Select standard technologies that are mature with strong eco systems Create standardised architecture that support Plug and Play (e.g. WECC)

Actors to Address the challenge

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

To solve this the telecommunications industry, regulatory bodies and Power engineering need to work together Telecommunications industry The Telecommunication Industry can offer significant experience, knowledge and technology to support the build out of the smart grid. Regulatory bodies Need to recognize the challenge and importance and support with funding, access to spectrum and ecosystem creation. Utilities But Utilities have unique needs that will test typical design principles and technologies

But each actor is wrestling with concrete challenges

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Telecommunications industry Do they understand the utility industry challenge and requirements? How do they balance their priorities with they existing consumer business? Regulatory How do I balance different requirements for spectrum (commercial networks, Public Safety, Utilities) Utilities Do they have the tools/process/people/skills to support complex communication networks? Do they have access to funding and to build or own the communications network? Is deploying Smart Metering an asset or hindrance for smart grid How can I keep the network secure?

Need for integrated vision, blueprint, strategy and Plan


Substation Automation: Real Time communication to RTUs, breakers, relays, and other equipment. Corporate Applications:

New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Very high speed and low latency Carry Telecom Traffic for Utility Carry Video and Security data from critical assets back to control Center

Video Surveillance will drive up data speed requirements.

Smart Grid Communications Blueprint AMI : Distribution Automation: Coverage across entire service Monitor capacitor banks territory controls, regulators, switches, Capacity to support meter reading, reclosers, fault circuit indicators demand response and HAN devices and sensors Reliable, secure and cost-effective Low throughput, very low backhaul 7 latency < 1 second for Security for data and integration messaging

Key focus areas


New Energy Horizons Opportunities and Challenges

Key Areas of innovation required Need for cost effective communications that can be deployed fast, secure and efficient. Suitability of IP to support integrated networks and power engineering applications (teleprotection, monitoring etc) Adapted distributed control mechanisms to increase survivability and restoration Wireless technologies that support white space, unlicensed, semilicensed spectrum bands Security policies and mechanisms that provide multiple layers of protection Control mechanisms to reliable support engineering applications over commercial and public safety networks

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