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COMMUNICATIONS I ncreasing the digital con- nectivity of distributed smart grid assets allows us to remotely monitor and operate distribution assets cost-effectively and safely. However, with a sig - nificant increase in the number of devices connected to the utility network, the threat of vulnerability from cyber-attacks increases too. This makes it essential that communication links are designed to be secure, but encryption and authenti - cation add to the bandwidth needed for these links. For high bandwidth IT links the overhead is proportionally small, but for OT links running at tens or hundreds of bits per second, security overheads can increase this by a factor of up to 100. The availability of spectrum for the smart grid is a big concern for DNOs, when looking at the fast deployment of any wireless technology. The additional re - quirements imposed by security protocols must be taken into consideration when planning reliable and cost-effective tel- ecommunications networks for power utilities. The Power Networks Demon- stration Centre (PNDC), as part of the University of Strathclyde, is a leading research and demonstra- tion facility working to accelerate, de-risk and validate the deploy- ment of new technologies across energy networks. Working closely with DNOs and technology ven- dors, the facility provides a collabo- rative environment for partners to develop innovative solutions across the energy systems domain. An area of focus for PNDC col - laboration with DNOs is minimis- ing risk of disruption to the network and ensuring adequate protection from significant technical failures. Despite an extreme technical failure such as the loss of electricity nationwide being recognised as the least likely of scenarios, the poten - tial risk has recently increased with the move towards digitalisation and decarbonisation. A smart grid can't be achieved without a high level of automation and control based on up-to-date and fully secure resilient commu - nications functionality. Securing communications between the smart grid entities and complying with cyber security standards is critical, but requires more band- width which in turn consumes more spectrum. Efficient, reliable and secure wireless communica- tion technology is crucial for any Delivering the smart grid The Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) is undertaking a project, which aims to address the bandwidth and security requirements for the smart grid. Kinan Ghanem, communications and systems integration lead, discusses how the project is progressing. NETWORK / 24 / OCTOBER 2019 areas is acting as a bottleneck. The UK's spectrum regulator (Ofcom) is working with DNOs to estimate the spectrum needed to maintain a stable and secure energy supply for the public, and to assess the case for any dedicated future release for power utilities. This would be best accomplished with a collaboration between the DNOs, the spectrum regulator, mobile providers and support from the research centres. The PNDC is currently working on a project which addresses the bandwidth and security require - ments for the smart grid, with the following aims: future deployment. Dedicated wireless communications networks may be required to enable the power networks for the future, so the availability of sufficient and appropriate spectrum is essential to enable the application of these technologies in the smart grid. It's also important to note that the rapid growth of distributed digital IP connected devices in power utilities also puts pres - sure on the available spectrum. Unlicensed spectrum could work for some applications, subject to the availability, where supporting better coverage in hard-to-reach