The ‘power network’ describes the electrical generation, transmission, and distribution grid that is considered to be the engineering wonder of the 20th century. The ‘communications network’ is considered the Internet marvel of the 21st century.
Solving Global Problems
The description of these two grids aptly describes the importance of the power distribution and communications and networking technologies within the smart grid, which have the potential to offer solutions to many global problems.
The insatiable demand for energy in both developed and under-developed countries of the world, has created several imperative, large-scale energy and communications issues. There is growing economic and personal dependence on electricity, while a carbon-intensive energy supply chain threatens the world’s climate, and combined with economically and politically unstable energy sources, these factors pose very serious and urgent problems for the governments of the world.
Changes Must be Made in the Global Grid
The first step is to understand that the smart grid communications network is a true, integrated network rather many parts of separate, vertically integrated application silos. This parallels the evolution of enterprise and telecommunications networks over the last 20 or 30 years into a single, integrated voice/video/data network, consisting of applications, technologies, and devices.
The second step is to recognize that changes must be made in the way the smart grid is used. These changes involve both sides of the electricity equation: “smarter” demand that is responsive to supply elasticity, and generation that includes renewable, distributed, and less deterministic generation sources. Ultimately, such a transformation requires the creation of an automated, distributed, and secure control system of an unforeseen scale that is enabled by reliable, flexible, and cost-effective communications.
The smart grid communications architecture covers many applications, ranging from large utility data centers and high-speed and geographically diverse substation backbones to the connection of small microcontroller-based home appliances.
Most grid communications today are part of specialized – and often proprietary – systems. The need for standardization has been long understood. Recently, however, government initiatives (and funding) around the world have energized standards efforts, resulting in unprecedented activity and cooperation among many stakeholders.
The U.S Framework for Specific Standards
In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) evaluates and effectively 'approves' specific standards for smart grid applications. As well, the NIST also identifies gaps where appropriate standards do not yet exist, and has effectively marshaled the industry to address these gaps in a timely manner.
Other Country Initiatives
Similar initiatives are occurring within the EU and Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. The potential scope for the growth and sophistication of smart grid communications efforts has created a burgeoning market for products and services, as traditional communications and IT companies now see the electric utility industry as a potentially high-growth adjacent market.
The opportunities presented by these initiatives are real and are bolstered by Pike Research forecasts that the number of communications node shipments associated with the smart grid will grow from 15 million in 2009 to over 55 million in 2016.
Duane Sharp - I am a retired professional engineer (electronics), with over 40 years of writing experience in technology topics, with a focus on the IT ...
