May 2009 doc.

: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

Project: IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area

Networks (WPANs)

Submission Title: TG4g-SUN Perspectives from EPRI, May 2009

Date Submitted: May 2009
Source: Brian Seal, Electric Power Research Institute
Contact: Brian Seal, Electric Power Research Institute
Voice: 1-865-218-8181, E-Mail: bseal@epri.com
Re: TG4g-SUN Perspectives from EPRI, May 2009
Abstract: EPRI perspective on the activities of the TG4g-SUN
Purpose: Smart Utility Networks
Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered
as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing
individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject
to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s)
reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.
Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes
the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by P802.15.

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

Smart Grid – Sensors, Computing, Communication

The Entire Electrical Power System
From Generation to End Use

Highly
Instrumented
with Advanced
Sensors and
Computing
Interconnected by a
Communication Fabric
that Reaches Every
Device
TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research
Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

The World on the Shoulders of AMI…

“Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is the
bedrock of the smart grid.” Energybiz (08/08) Vol. 5, No. 4, P. 52

“…AMI technology provides a foundation for the

achievement of smart grid benefits.” Article Title, Utility
Automation & Engineering T&D

“How AMI Enables the Smart Grid.” Article Title, Utility

Products Magazine

“AMI to pave path towards Smart Grid” Article Heading,

SmartGridNews.com, Sept 29, 2007

Are These Reasonable Expectations ?

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research
Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

EPRI Perspective on AMI and a Smart Grid

The contribution of “AMI” to a Smart Grid depends on

our progress in making the transition from:

Application Specific Multipurpose

Reaches Buildings Reaches Everything
One-way data flow Multi-directional data flow
Today’s data tomorrow Now’s data now
Hourly resolution Minute resolution
Seconds Milliseconds
Proprietary Open

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

Additional Application Value Continuously

Being Identified
15-year
Societal Energy
Benefits through
Managing typical
widespread meter
All loads
Additive Value

DER
being auto
price
Real-time responsive

$18,000
Distribution
Demand & Optimization

Environment,
PHEV, Solar, Wind
Battery Storage,
Energy

Region
Nation,
reduction
from CVR
Cost of
manual
meter
reading

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

Application Value Supports the Cost

• Residential meters need not be $20 devices
• HAN gateways, integrated disconnect switches, outage
ride-through, etc – all driving up the cost / value curve
• Transceiver chipset not seen as driving the overall
BOM cost. Do not compromise performance for
pennies.

Regulators and utilities will expect the

communications foundation for a smart grid
to deliver more and therefore to cost more.

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

Utility Benefits from a Common Phy/Mac

• Improving performance – dedicated IC’s outperforming
multipurpose devices
• Hardware that can be remotely switched from vendor A
network to vendor B network
• Decoupling networking technology from manufacturing -
enabling AMI companies that don’t produce hardware
• A platform upon which additional standards could be
built – potential for eventual multivendor interoperability

Target RFP Language: “All system equipment must

have at least two independent sources of supply.”

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute
 May 2009 doc.: IEEE 15-09-0382-00-004g

A Window of Opportunity

Many utility needs are immediate, others

emerging

Utilities are being tempted by costly

alternatives that are not technically ideal

“Consensus” more beneficial than “best” –

VHS/BetaMax, HD DVD / BluRay

TG4g - SUN Brian K. Seal, Electric Power Research

Institute