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NETWORK / 36 / MAY 2017 Smart Grid telecomS W hile smart meters and distributed generation assets have garnered the greatest attention in discussions about the promise of smart grids, the telecommunications infrastructure on which they will depend for their operations are no less critical a factor in their success. If we accept the common characterisation of smart grids as an "internet of things" for energy, the "things" are the sensors connected throughout the network, from the generation assets through the distribution networks to the smart meters in the homes and businesses that consume the energy. However, if we are to extract value from such resources, it is the telecoms infrastructure that must provide the "internet" element. In the case of smart meters, the mandate for providing and managing the telecoms on which they operate lies firmly in the hands of the Data Communications Company (DCC). In collaboration with telecoms providers Arqiva and Telefonica, and data specialists CGI, the DCC must roll out the network of smart meters and enable the data to be accessed by DNOs, energy suppliers and assorted other parties in the energy sector. Beyond that, however, it is the responsibility of the parties themselves to provide the telecoms infrastructure on which the other elements will operate. For the energy networks, the requirement is to significantly expand their current telecoms infrastructure to provide a communications network on which sensors in substations and across operations can send data and interact, enabling real-time monitoring and management of operations. On the continent, much of the work has already been done because it is the responsibility of energy companies to roll out smart meters and the telecoms on which they operate. To establish this, Iberdrola in Spain and ENEL in Italy opted for power line communications (PLC), in which the same cables that transmit power are also used to transmit data and meet the communication requirements of the network. Power line communication David Healey is head of smart energy at Analysys Mason. He recently assessed the different smart grid telecoms technologies in use for WPD's Project Nexus, reviewing advances in PLC and its successful deployment in mainland Europe. "They've used that because it's their asset and rather than buy a wireless system off someone like Arqiva or buy a managed system off a mobile network operator, they can use their wires to provide the monitoring and control that they need on the network because modern versions of power line carrier allow them to squeeze enough bandwidth out of that technology to do the job." Power line communications not only enable operators to use existing assets rather than investing in costly new comms infrastructure, are also expected to play a major part in the rollout of comms infrastructure for the UK's energy networks. "Why wouldn't we deploy power line comms on smart grid applications?" says Gary McElroy, infrastructure manager at Western Power Distribution and one of the leads on Project Nexus. "We've got an asset there that can be utilised, I don't know why it hasn't been fully embraced in the UK." All the UK networks possess existing assets, so it is likely that PLC will play a key part in meeting their comms requirements as they ramp up "smart" operations. However, other technologies are or will be available and will likely be used alongside PLC to provide comprehensive coverage. Radio frequency wireless mesh One option that has already been explored, and is likely to play a big part, is radio frequency wireless mesh networks. An IP-based solution, RF mesh technology operates in the sub-gigahertz radio spectrum and acts as the principal means of connection between the sensors in substations and distributed generation assets. Through the placement of different transmitters, the communications network effectively acts as a radio canopy over a specific area, enabling any and all sensors in that area to be connected to the network. As part of Flexible Plug and Play – a £9.7 million three-year trial project to connect distributed generation assets to its network – UK Power Networks successfully established an RF mesh network on which it operated an active network management system. The project successfully established a telecoms platform across a local area between Cambridge and Peterborough where multiple solar PV and wind assets had to be connected. It enabled the sensors attached to the substations and generation assets to send their data to the control centre. Furthermore, once it was up and running, expanding the network to support new assets or increased future demand could be efficiently delivered by installing extra low- voltage distribution poles in the areas that need coverage. The success of the UKPN trial and other examples of RF mesh being used – by telecoms provider Arqiva in a number of isolated areas in Scotland, for example – demonstrates that the technology is already a viable option for networks seeking to roll