Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/748539
NETWORK / 37 / NOVEMBER 2016 telecoms resource in the utility sector is in short supply. There are, of course, a number of specialist telecoms equipment vendors in the utility sector that produce high-quality products with excellent reliability. There is however, a potential issue when considering these types of equipment vendor for large- scale rollout. The problem is that the size of many of the suppliers involved now presents a commercial credibility issue in light of the scale of the deployments ahead. When considering engagement between UK power companies and the large telecoms operators, which could credibly undertake such high-profile projects, it quickly becomes apparent that a lack of standardisation/agreement is a substantial challenge. Having been largely self- sufficient in telecommunications services for decades, the interaction between utility customers and telecoms operators has been limited, with each sector having its own specialist knowledge but not necessarily sharing (to a sufficient degree) the capability and requirements with the other. At present, the UK's DNOs all investigate communications solutions independently of each other. But without a common set of requirements, it is unlikely that any UK telecoms operator will see the electricity sector as an attractive revenue opportunity. As it stands, each DNO would require unique hardware, teams and services to satisfy its particular set of requirements. It is possible to resolve this by means of collaboration. A‰er all, the electrical plant in most DNO networks is standardised and all the DNOs have the same goals of reducing costs, maximising system availability and reducing CO2 emissions through the increased use of distributed renewable generation. However, individual DNOs are not currently incentivised to standardise their smart grid communication requirements. The modest degree of standardisation which currently exists has been sufficient for the purposes of a centralised generating model, but it needs to move on sufficiently if it is to allow the cost-effective implementation of smart grids in the UK. Technology options There are numerous communication tech- nology options under consideration at the moment for smart grid connectivity. They include traditional solutions such as VHF and UHF radio, pilot cable XDSL, 2G GPRS modems and digital mobile radio. Leading (and bleeding) edge solutions include mesh radios, power line communications, TV white space, narrow-band LTE, LoRa, Sig- fox, 5G and satellite. Following numerous technology trials there is a generally held consensus that no one of these solutions is suitable in every situation. The real solution is likely to com- prise a hybrid of three or four of the above. There are close parallels here with the challenges faced in providing ubiquitous broadband coverage – the panacea of fibre- optic connectivity everywhere is simply too expensive, but a combination of fibre, cop- per and wireless solutions is gradually fill- ing in the gaps. A challenge for the power industry is that discussions between hardware vendors and telecoms network operators o‰en fail to adequately address the full breadth and specification required. That is particularly the case if the motivation of a supplier is only to convince the utility sector that its solution alone will address all connectivity scenarios. Connected Not connected Primary layer (132kV to 33kV) Distributed layer (11kV or 6.6kV) Low voltage layer (400V) Number of sites (000s) 800 700 600 500 400 200 100 0 2011 2021 2031 2011 2021 2031 2011 2021 2031 300 Predicted power grid communications requirements "Without a common set of requirements, it is unlikely that any UK telecommunications operator will see the electricity sector as an attractive revenue opportunity." → Source: Energy Networks Association