Abstract
Narrowband Power Line Communications (NB-PLCs) are investigated as an alternative option for transferring low rate smart grid (SG) data via Medium Voltage (MV) power lines. In this framework, two variants of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing are examined, namely Filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM) and Wavelet-OFDM (W-OFDM), in an attempt to determine which of them is capable of transmitting low rate SG data to greater distances over non-branched MV power lines. The reach of NB-PLC signals via MV power lines is estimated, taking into account the transfer function of the relevant PLC channels and noise mechanisms as well as the specific features of the two modulation options under consideration. Simulations show that NB-PLC transmission constitutes a technically feasible and economically affordable option for exchanging low rate data with remote SG nodes dispersed over the MV grid. Moreover, simulations show that F-OFDM allows low rate data transmission to considerably greater distances compared to W-OFDM.
Highlights
The Smart Grid (SG) is a power network which can intelligently integrate/incorporate the actions of generators, distributors and consumers of energy
The simulations performed by the authors have shown that low rate data can be transmitted via non-branched Medium Voltage (MV) power lines to distances up to 2.5 km compared to significantly lower distances—of the order of 500–800 m—attainable employing BB-PLC
Under certain conditions, which are practically satisfied for frequencies up to 100 MHz, the PLC modes supported by MV power lines are orthogonal [10]
Summary
The Smart Grid (SG) is a power network which can intelligently integrate/incorporate the actions of generators, distributors and consumers of energy. NB-PLC technology utilizes the power grid to implement low rate network services related to switching and monitoring Both PLC options face a harsh transmission environment characterized by a time-varying transfer function and, sometimes, non-white additive noise of high power spectral density (PSD) [7]. Since PLC transmission employs primarily OFDM, this article investigates the performance of two such modulation schemes, namely filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM) and wavelet-OFDM (W-OFDM) These modulation schemes are only used indicatively to demonstrate the fact that NB-PLC is a viable SGC option via MV grids, in addition to its use over LV grids. The simulations performed by the authors have shown that low rate data can be transmitted via non-branched MV power lines to distances up to 2.5 km compared to significantly lower distances—of the order of 500–800 m—attainable employing BB-PLC.
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