Smart Grid Design Research Articles

Efficient Identity-Based Encryption Scheme with Equality Test in Smart City

To support a sustainable development of smart city, smart grid is an indispensable part. Sensor technology in smart gird enables interactive real-time data transmission between cloud and the edge of the network. There are a number of research challenges in the design of smart grids. One of these research challenges is balancing customer privacy and the cloud-based power system's function optimization. Identity-based encryption with equality test (IBEET) scheme has recently been identified as a viable solution, in which customers can delegate a trapdoor to the power system control server and the server then searches on the encrypted data to determine whether two different ciphertexts are encryptions of the same plaintext. Unfortunately, existing schemes are inefficient and the trapdoor could be used to perform equality test on any message; thus, leakage of privacy. In this paper, we propose an efficient IBEET scheme with bilinear pairing, which reduces the need for time-consuming HashToPoint function and each trapdoor could only be used to perform the equality test on a particular keyword. We then prove the security of our scheme for one-way chosen-ciphertext security against a chosen identity (OW-ID-CCA) attack in the random oracle model (ROM). The performance evaluation of our scheme demonstrates that in comparison to the scheme of Ma (2016), our scheme achieves a reduction of 36.7 and 39.24 percent in computation costs during the encryption phase and test phase, respectively.

Making the World More Sustainable: Enabling Localized Energy Generation and Distribution on Decentralized Smart Grid Systems

Smart grid is an idea of upgradation of the traditional electric grid infrastructure. The efficiency of the existing electrical grid can be automated by integrating with innovative technical equipment such as: high-tech forecasting system, digital sensors, advanced two-way communication and two-way power flow systems. Smart grid establishes an interface between utility and consumer which helps to use energy, based on the preferences of price, eco-friendly and without technical system issues. It empowers the grid to be more secure, reliable and efficient. The peer-reviewed articles and published government reports have been reviewed, based on the analysis of technical characteristics of power generation systems, eco-friendly sources of power generations, cost reduction, functionality and design of traditional grid versus smart grid. Furthermore, the innovative technologies that enable the grid to integrate with decentralized power generation system efficiently have been considered. This paper claims that in this modern era, it is arduous for traditional grid to fulfill the rising demand of electricity, along with sustainable, eco-friendly and stable power supply, as it cannot be efficiently integrated with decentralized and localized power generation systems and renewable energy sources. The result of this paper shows that decentralized and localized power generation systems are located close to end-users which decrease the transmission and supply cost of electricity. Innovative technologies allow the decentralized and localized power generation systems to be integrated with renewable energy sources which help to reduce the cost of utility services and provide clean energy. Moreover, technological advancement played a decisive role in enabling the electrical system to be more efficient. Electrical reliability can be improved, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, renewable energy sources can efficiently be integrated, and rising demand for electricity can be met by embedding advanced applications and technological equipment in the electrical grid.

Transient performance analysis of smart grid with dynamic power distribution

Transient performance analysis of power distribution network (PDN) after a failure occurrence could facilitate the better design of smart grid. Researchers have proposed analytical models and the numerical solutions to analyze the PDN's transient behaviors by applying homogeneous continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC). However, the PDN system may be time-varying during a failure recovery. Then, the system restoration process evolves as a non-homogeneous CTMC (NHCTMC) on a finite state space. This paper seeks to analyze the transient performance of such a time-varying system from a failure occurrence until the system's full restoration. This restoration process consists of multiple phases which are sequential or in parallel. We apply piecewise constant approximation method to derive the formulas for computing state transient probabilities and then derive the computation formulas for the metrics of interest. A case study is conducted to apply the proposed approach to analyze the transient performance of a simple distribution automation network. This network was derived from a real power distribution network.

Exploring the Potential of Energy Consumers in Smart Grid Using Focus Group Methodology

The socio-technological transition towards smart grids is an on-going process requiring adaptive behaviour by consumers. It is commonly assumed that consumer’s attitudes and behaviours need to be modified to secure a sustainable energy future. This paper aims at exploring the influence of energy behaviours on smart grid processes, by contributing to the characterisation and systematisation of energy behaviours for specific segment of Croatian residential sector and proposing an integrative focus group methodology. Results show that participants have a positive predisposition towards smart technologies and home demand-side-management, but are less likely to accept automation system controlled by a supplier. We propose that smart grid designs must look beyond only the technology and recognise that a smart user who is actively engaged with energy is critical to much of what is proposed by demand-side-management. In the future, new innovative business models should be developed to explore different options to involve consumers to become smart users.

Equation-Based Object-Oriented modelling and simulation of large-scale Smart Grids with Modelica

The design, control, and management of large-scale Smart Grids poses a number of challenging problems. Successfully addressing them requires high-level, flexible, efficient and scalable dynamic modelling and simulation frameworks. In this paper, the requirements for such frameworks are first stated. Then, it is shown how the equation-based, object-oriented modelling approach and the Modelica modelling language can fit those requirements.

A complex network deployment suitable for modern power distribution analysis at the primary control level

The power grid evolution towards the smart grid integration is certainly expected in the near future. Disciplinary technologies from many fields that are combined for such a large scale venture, have a complicated result. It seems that rather more efficient tools are needed for the analysis and design of the future smart electric grids, especially at the distribution part. A possible solution is the complex network deployment that provides an alternative framework to better understand and analyze smart grid systems that are composed by different interacting parts in a network fashion. The complex network representation can thus be extended to a multi-level formulation where at any level the outputs may be used as command inputs for the lower levels. The method is established on the basis of suitably determined graphs and therefore can be used in a common way, independently from variations on grid topology or the power injected or consumed. This is a very valuable fact due to the intermittent and unpredictable nature of modern distribution systems. However, a basic problem that arise is how under any possible graph representation, one can be sure that the system is undoubtedly stable. Therefore, in this paper, a systematic method, absolutely compatible with the complex network deployment, is established to indicate that, under common conditions, every modern distributed generation system with variable topology and bounded control inputs, can be represented as a special structure passive port-Hamiltonian stable system. Finally, a particular microgrid example with a standard primary control level scheme is examined to evaluate the proposed method.

Distributed cooperative spectrum sensing with wireless sensor network cluster architecture for smart grid communications

Smart grid (SG) is widely considered as the next generation power grid. Recently, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have shown its advantages for SG by achieving low-power transmissions. However, SG communication technologies are subjects to ineffective spectrum allocation issues. Cognitive radio wireless sensor network (CRWSN) has been identified as a new technique for SG to face these challenges. CRWSN is a new research paradigm where WSN and cognitive radio are combined. In this paper, WSN with cluster tree topology is proposed as a compatible choice for SG design. We introduce CRWSN in to SG using cluster tree topology to improve the sensing performance and solve the rarity of spectrum by opening the underused licensed bands to secondary users. We adopt cluster distributed cooperative sensing as a method of spectrum sensing. We later evaluate the performance of this method under two distributed policies; OR and AND rules based on energy detection.

General Information about the Design of Smart Grids in Universities

Until recently, the dominant paradigm in the electrification consisted of universal service and its centralization, and for loor modern times think of the power grid of the future where a qualitative and radical leap is required because of the need to manage better energy resources, promote environmental protection and meet the increasingly demanding requirements of quality of service. A power distribution network becomes intelligent acquiring data, communicating, processing information and exercising control through a feedback that allows you to adjust to changes that may arise in actual operation. Ecuador aimed at energy efficiency through smart grids, which allow the dealer to maintain absolute monitoring of energy flow and the elements of the power grid. Thus, it is possible that service companies can efficiently manage their assets and the end user to manage consumption rationally, requiring to enhance the energy efficiency of power grids, one management timely and efficient energy.

A Dynamic Residential Load Model Based on a Non-homogeneous Poisson Process

Smart grids treat energy in a much more efficient manner than it is done currently by conventional power systems. One important aspect in the design and analysis of smart grids is to take into account some real characteristics of the power system and its loads. In this context, we propose a dynamic load model for residential applications based on a non-homogeneous Poisson process, whose parameters depend on the electrical characteristics of the loads and their time-varying power profiles. Some of the advantages of this model are its flexibility to represent any specific energetic scenario found in different regions of the globe and the possibility to independently control individual low-voltage loads of the evaluated system by modifying the activation function of the corresponding load model. This last characteristic is fundamental to represent adequately and analyze the behavior of smart grids. To demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed strategy, several load curves were generated with the aid of the proposed model and compared against real measurements.

Obtaining energy from tidal microturbines: A practical example in the Nalón River

Tidal energy has significant potential yet to be developed. Sizeable investments, operating costs and environmental impact are barriers that have to date restricted its development. However, microturbine arrays which are viable in coastal locations can help minimize the initial investment as well as operating costs and environmental impact. This paper puts forward a complete smart grid design based on tidal microturbine arrays following a methodology that includes a selection of optimal locations, the design of smart grid tidal generation and consumption components. The methodology has been applied to the estuary of the Nalón River. For the evaluation of the tidal resource and determination of the optimum locations free license software is used to simulate a one-dimensional flow. In order to achieve this, a geometrical model of the river mouth using open source geographic data and nautical information has been built. The results demonstrate high water velocities throughout the year as well as high tidal energy potential in zones that make the installation of a smart grid feasible. This smart grid includes a microturbine tidal array to generate energy and an intelligent Lighting Smart Grid system to light a promenade along the river mouth depicted as an application of the energy produced.

Improving the AODV Protocol to Satisfy the Required Level of Reliability for Home Area Networks

For decades, the structure of existing power grids has not changed. It is an old structure that depends heavily on fossil fuel as an energy source, and in the future, this is likely to be critical in the field of energy. To solve these problems and to make optimal use of energy resources, a new concept is proposed, called Smart Grid. Smart Grid is an electric power distribution automation system, which can provide a two-way flow of electricity and information between power plants and consumers. The Smart Grid communications infrastructure consists of different network components, such as Home Area Network (HAN), Neighborhood Area Network (NAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). Achieving the required level of reliability in the transmission of information to all sections, including the HAN, is one of the main objectives in the design and implementation of Smart Grid. This study offers a routing protocol by considering the parameters and constraints of HAN, which, by improving AODV routing protocol, achieves the level of required reliability for data transmission in this network. These improvements include: making table-driven AODV routing protocol, extending the routing protocol to compute multiple paths in a route discovery, simplification and providing the effect of HAN parameters. The results of the NS2 simulation indicate that applying this improved routing protocol in the HAN, satisfies the required level of reliability of the network, which is over 98%.

Efficient and Privacy-Preserving Metering Protocols for Smart Grid Systems

Smart grids have attracted increasing interest in the field of industrial research. These systems allow electricity consumers to communicate with electrical systems using bidirectional communications. However, these bidirectional channels may introduce privacy threats to consumers. Considerable research has been conducted with the aim of resolving these threats. Unfortunately, a practical smart grid design with adequate efficiency and security functionalities has not yet been produced. In this paper, we propose lightweight privacy preserving metering protocols by designing a distributed authentication method to further increase the speed of the message authentication process. We confirmed the efficiency and security of our method by performing a detailed analysis.

Indices to Study the Electrical Power Signals in Active and Passive Distribution Lines: A Combined Analysis with Empirical Mode Decomposition

The broad diffusion of renewable energy-based technologies has introduced several open issues in the design and operation of smart grids (SGs) when distributed generators (DGs) inject a large amount of power into the grid. In this paper, a theoretical investigation on active and reactive power data is performed for one active line characterized by several photovoltaic (PV) plants with a great amount of injectable power and two passive lines, one of them having a small peak power PV plant and the other one having no PV power. The frequencies calculated via the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method based on the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) are compared to the ones obtained via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and the wavelet transform (WT), showing a wider spectrum of significant modes mainly due to the non-periodical behavior of the power signals. The results obtained according to the HHT-EMD analysis are corroborated by the calculation of three new indices that are computed starting from the electrical signal itself and not from the Hilbert spectrum. These indices give the quantitative deviation from the periodicity and the coherence degree of the power signals, which typically deviate from the stationary regime and have a nonlinear behavior in terms of amplitude and phase. This information allows to extract intrinsic features of power lines belonging to SGs and this is useful for their optimal operation and planning.

Key Aspects of Smart Grid Design for Distribution System Automation: Architecture and Responsibilities

In the conventional distribution network, systems designed for the control of individual constituents are autonomous with each other with respect to architectures and controlling. Thus, centralized control and integrated functionality are the major challenges faced by the distribution system operators. To overcome these issues, the term “distribution system automation” came into picture by using information and communications technology (ICT)as a resolution that integrate all the critical constituents of a distribution system. This develops a smart environment at power distribution level, called as “smart microgrid” that can optimize the system economy and improve the system resiliency. The major challenge lies in distribution system automation is the selection of proper architecture and communications. In view of all these aspects, this paper present an overview of distribution system automation as a part of smartgrid initiatives and its important features viz., architecture layout and responsibilities.

Distributed Cooperative Spectrum Sensing with Wireless Sensor Network Cluster Architecture for Smart Grid Communications

Smart grid (SG) is widely considered as the next generation power grid. Recently, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have shown its advantages for SG by achieving low-power transmissions. However, SG communication technologies are subjects to ineffective spectrum allocation issues. Cognitive radio wireless sensor network (CRWSN) has been identified as a new technique for SG to face these challenges. CRWSN is a new research paradigm where WSN and cognitive radio are combined. In this paper, WSN with cluster tree topology is proposed as a compatible choice for SG design. We introduce CRWSN in to SG using cluster tree topology to improve the sensing performance and solve the rarity of spectrum by opening the underused licensed bands to secondary users. We adopt cluster distributed cooperative sensing as a method of spectrum sensing. We later evaluate the performance of this method under two distributed policies; OR and AND rules based on energy detection.

Convergence of Smart Grid ICT Architectures for the Last Mile

The evolution of the electrical grid into a smart grid, allowing user production, storage, and exchange of energy; remote control of appliances; and, in general, optimizations over how the energy is managed and consumed, is an evolution into a complex information and communication technology (ICT) system. With the goal of promoting an integrated and interoperable smart grid, a number of organizations all over the world started uncoordinated standardization activities, which caused the emergence of a large number of incompatible architectures and standards. There are now new standardization activities that have the goal of organizing existing standards and produce best practices to choose the right approach(es) to be employed in specific smart grid designs. This paper follows the lead of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute/European Committee for Standardization/European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (ETSI/CEN/CENELEC) approaches in trying to provide taxonomy of existing solutions; our contribution reviews and relates current ICT state of the art with the objective of forecasting future trends based on the orientation of current efforts and on relationships between them. The resulting taxonomy provides guidelines for further studies of the architectures, and highlights how the standards in the last mile of the smart grid are converging to common solutions to improve ICT infrastructure interoperability.

Interdisciplinary challenges in the study of power grid resilience and stability and their relation to extreme weather events

This topical issue collects contributions to the interdisciplinary study of power grid stability in face of increasing volatility of energy production and consumption due to increasing renewable energy infeed and changing climatic conditions. The individual papers focus on different aspects of this field and bring together modern achievements from various disciplines, in particular complex systems science, nonlinear data analysis, control theory, electrical engineering, and climatology. Main topics considered here are prediction and volatility of renewable infeed, modelling and theoretical analysis of power grid topology, dynamics and stability, relationships between stability and complex network topology, and improvements via topological changes or control. Impacts for the design of smart power grids are discussed in detail.

Achieving Accountability in Smart Grid

Smart grid is a promising power infrastructure that is integrated with communication and information technologies. Nevertheless, privacy and security concerns arise simultaneously. Failure to address these issues will hinder the modernization of the existing power system. After critically reviewing the current status of smart grid deployment and its key cyber security concerns, the authors argue that accountability mechanisms should be involved in smart grid designs. We design two separate accountable communication protocols using the proposed architecture with certain reasonable assumptions under both home area network and neighborhood area network. Analysis and simulation results indicate that the design works well, and it may cause all power loads to become accountable.

Smart grids, smart users? The role of the user in demand side management

Smart grids are a key feature of future energy scenarios, with the overarching goal of better aligning energy generation and demand. The work presented here considers the role of the user in such systems, and the contexts in which such roles might emerge. The data used is drawn from focus groups with 72 participants, using novel scenario techniques to contextualise smart grid technologies in domestic settings. Two contrasting visions of the smart grid are presented, a centralised system based on current institutional arrangements, and an alternative system in which decentralisation of generation and control is pursued. Using the concepts of ‘energy consumer’ and ‘energy citizen’, the paper considers what forms of engagement are likely to be generated by the two visions. We propose that smart grid designs must look beyond simply the technology and recognise that a smart user who is actively engaged with energy is critical to much of what is proposed by demand side management. We conclude that the energy citizen holds out most promise in this regard. The implications of this for policy makers are discussed.

Developing Educational Smart Grid Laboratory for the UAEU

The goal of this paper is to present the first stage of developing an educational laboratory to teach smart grid design and implementations for both under graduate and graduate levels. Hampden 180 simulator that represents conventional generation, transmission, and distribution power system is integrated with intelligent electronic devices and tied together in an architecture that provides reliable and fault-tolerant protection, control and monitoring. The upgraded laboratory will demonstrate high level of functionality and satisfying the design and operation objectives of smart grid metering, protection, control, monitoring and communication. Part 2 of this paper will discuss and present the implementation stage.