Abstract
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) subsystems monitor and control energy distribution through exchange of information between smart meters and utility networks. A key challenge is how to select a cost-effective communication system without compromising the performance of the applications. Current communication technologies were developed for conventional data networks with different requirements. It is therefore necessary to investigate how much of existing communication technologies can be retrofitted into the new energy infrastructure to cost-effectively deliver acceptable level of service. This paper investigates broadband power line communications (BPLC) as a backhaul solution in AMI. By applying the disparate traffic characteristics of selected AMI applications, the network performance is evaluated. This study also examines the communication network response to changes in application configurations in terms of packet sizes. In each case, the network is stress-tested and performance is assessed against acceptable thresholds documented in the literature. Results show that, like every other communication technology, BPLC has certain limitations; however, with some modifications in the network topology, it indeed can fulfill most AMI traffic requirements for flexible and time-bounded applications. These opportunities, if tapped, can significantly improve fiscal and operational efficiencies in AMI services. Simulation results also reveal that BPLC as a backhaul can support flat and clustered AMI structures with cluster size ranging from 1 to 150 smart meters.
Highlights
The current grid has been rightly described as a “product of rapid urbanisation” [1], one plagued with numerous challenges from utilities and consumers perspectives alike
The model of of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) presented in this paper investigates the overall network performance using Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), broadband power line communications (BPLC) and narrowband PLC (NPLC) as the last mile between the data collector (DC) and smart meters
While maintaining BPLC as the backhaul, each of Wi-Fi, NPLC, and BPLC are deployed in the last mile, and end-to-end system performance is evaluated
Summary
The current grid has been rightly described as a “product of rapid urbanisation” [1], one plagued with numerous challenges from utilities and consumers perspectives alike. The model of of AMI presented in this paper investigates the overall network performance using Wi-Fi, broadband power line communications (BPLC) and narrowband PLC (NPLC) as the last mile between the data collector (DC) and smart meters. Given that most existing communication technologies were developed for conventional data networks, it is important to understand how much tweaking is required to achieve optimal network performance in line with defined service objectives. For such mission-critical services as power delivery, it is expedient to evaluate the performance of a complete communication system to enable engineers achieve optimal designs.
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