Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure Research Articles

Ensemble Model Based on Hybrid Deep Learning for Intrusion Detection in Smart Grid Networks.

The Smart Grid aims to enhance the electric grid's reliability, safety, and efficiency by utilizing digital information and control technologies. Real-time analysis and state estimation methods are crucial for ensuring proper control implementation. However, the reliance of Smart Grid systems on communication networks makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks, posing a significant risk to grid reliability. To mitigate such threats, efficient intrusion detection and prevention systems are essential. This paper proposes a hybrid deep-learning approach to detect distributed denial-of-service attacks on the Smart Grid's communication infrastructure. Our method combines the convolutional neural network and recurrent gated unit algorithms. Two datasets were employed: The Intrusion Detection System dataset from the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity and a custom dataset generated using the Omnet++ simulator. We also developed a real-time monitoring Kafka-based dashboard to facilitate attack surveillance and resilience. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that our proposed approach achieves a high accuracy rate of 99.86%.

A Graph-Theoretic Approach for Modelling and Resiliency Analysis of Synchrophasor Communication Networks

In recent years, the Smart Grid (SG) has been conceptualized as a burgeoning technology for improvising power systems. The core of the communication infrastructure in SGs is the Synchrophasor Communication Network (SCN). Using the SCN, synchrophasor data communication is facilitated between the Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) and Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC). However, the SCN is subjected to many challenges. As a result, the components, such as the links, PMUs, PDCs, nodes, etc., of the SCN are subjected to failure. Such failure affects the operation of the SCN and results in the performance degradation of the SG. The performance degradation of the smart grid is observed either temporarily or permanently due to packet loss. To avoid dire consequences, such as a power blackout, the SCN must be resilient to such failures. This paper presents a novel analytical method for the resiliency analysis of SCNs. A graph-theoretic approach was used to model SCN from the resiliency analysis perspective. Furthermore, we proposed a simulation framework for validating the analytical method using the Network Simulator-3 (ns-3) software. The proposed non-intrusive simulation framework can also be extended to design and analyse the resiliency of generic communication networks.

Methods of data aggregation for traffic reducing in SG commutation networks for security and SG data policy

The transformation of the outdated electrical grid into the Smart Grid (SG), which provides a two-way information flow between the various SG components, creates many problems in designing and developing efficient SG communication infrastructures for connecting various SG components. In addition to the currently used core networks and protocols, new wired and wireless approaches are planned for various SG components and applications deployment. The proposed SG communications infrastructure will have many interconnected systems with a variety of capabilities and management to provide end-to-end services to users, as well as among intelligent devices.

Constrained Broadcast With Minimized Latency in Neighborhood Area Networks of Smart Grid

Neighborhood area networks (NANs) are essential communication infrastructure in smart grid. They support communications for various applications including time-critical ones. A typical NAN communication scenario is to send commands from a control center simultaneously to a large number of nodes, demanding low-latency broadcast communications. This is challenging due to the limited bandwidth and large number of nodes in wireless NANs. While some broadcast schemes, e.g., opportunistic flooding, have been developed for general wireless sensor networks, they are not optimized for smart grid NANs with unique characteristics and low-latency requirements for time-critical applications. Therefore, a constrained broadcast scheme with minimized latency (CBS-ML) is presented in this paper for low-latency NAN communications. To avoid traffic congestion, it constrains the broadcast to a small number of core nodes. Theoretical developments are presented to show how to select core nodes based on network topology and link reliability. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the proposed CBS-ML.

Optimal Consumption Management in Smart Grids with Electric Vehicle Loads

Due to the dramatic growth in the electric power industry and the large gap between small and large loads and economic crisis that has gripped most of the world, the operation of power plants has become a critical issue. Also growing use of traditional sources of energy and lack of response to this need has created a lot of problems around the world. Including that they can reduce fossil fuel resources, and the environmental impact of greenhouse gas increases noted. This problem has led to concerns of environmentally friendly technologies such as electric cars get more attention. Considering to the capability of bi-directional exchange power in electric vehicles, they are significant appliance of the network. This type of appliance as well as hardware that is installed in the parking lot, they can quickly set up as a small virtual power plant. The main focus of this paper is to develop an optimal load management strategy for residential consumers that utilizes electric vehicle with the communication infrastructure of the future smart grid. The strategy considers predictions of electricity prices, energy demand, renewable power production, and power-purchase of energy of the consumer in determining the optimal relationship between hourly electricity prices and the use of different household appliances and electric vehicles in a typical smart house. The proposed strategy is illustrated using two study cases corresponding to a house located in Zaragoza (Spain) for a typical day in summer. Results show that the proposed model allows users to control their diary energy consumption and adapt their electricity bills to their actual economical situation.

Modelling Cyber Attacks on Electricity Market Using Mathematical Programming With Equilibrium Constraints

With the development of communication infrastructure in smart grids, cyber security reinforcement has become one of the most challenging issues for power system operators. In this paper, an attacker is considered a participant in the virtual bidding procedure in the day-ahead (DA) and real-time (RT) electricity markets to maximize its profit. The cyber attacker attempts to identify the optimal power system measurements to attack along with the false data injected into measurement devices. Towards the maximum profit, the attacker needs to specify the relation between manipulated meters, virtual power traded in the markets, and electricity prices. Meanwhile, to avoid being detected by the system operator, the attacker considers the physical power system constraints existing in the DA and RT markets. Then, a bi-level optimization model is presented which combines the real electricity market state variables with the attacker decision-variables. Using the mathematical problem with equilibrium constraints, the presented bi-level model is converted into a single level optimization problem and the optimal decision variables for the attacker are obtained. Finally, simulation results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the attacker, which also provides insights for security improvement.

Analysing and modelling worm propagation speed in the smart grid communication infrastructure

In an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart meters may communicate in an ad-hoc fashion to perform functionalities like remote metering and demand response. However, the AMI is susceptible to cyber-physical threats caused by malware such as worms. In this work, we derive a probabilistic model for worm propagation in the AMI. The accuracy of the model is validated using three worm propagation scenarios. This model can be used to estimate the time required to infect N meters in the AMI based on the worm propagation technique deployed by the attacker. In addition, we use the derived model to investigate the sensitivity of worm propagation to different parameters such as transmission range, worm size, number and location of target meters. We also demonstrate how an attacker can improve the propagation speed of the worm by modifying the worm's target list. The latter is done by comparing the three introduced propagation scenarios. Improving the worm's propagation speed can amplify the possible physical consequence of the attack.

Analysing and modelling worm propagation speed in the smart grid communication infrastructure

Analysing and modelling worm propagation speed in the smart grid communication infrastructure

IoT-Based Implementation of Field Area Network Using Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure

A power grid is a network that carries electrical energy from power plants to customer premises. One existing power grid is going through a massive and revolutionary transformation process. It is envisioned to achieve the true meaning of technology as “technology for all.” Smart grid technology is an inventive and futuristic approach for improvement in existing power grids. Amalgamation of existing electrical infrastructure with information and communication network is an inevitable requirement of smart grid deployment and operation. The key characteristics of smart grid technology are full duplex communication, advanced metering infrastructure, integration of renewable and alternative energy resources, distribution automation and absolute monitoring, and control of the entire power grid. Smart grid communication infrastructure consists of heterogeneous and hierarchical communication networks. Various layers of smart grid deployment involve diverse sets of wired and wireless communication standards. Application of smart grids can be realized in the facets of energy utilization. Smart grid communication architecture can be used to explore intelligent agriculture applications for the proficient nurturing of various crops. The utilization, monitoring, and control of various renewable energy resources are the most prominent features of smart grid infrastructure for agriculture applications. This paper describes an implementation of an IoT-based wireless energy management system and the monitoring of weather parameters using a smart grid communication infrastructure. A graphical user interface and dedicated website was developed for real-time execution of the developed prototype. The prototype described in this paper covers a pervasive communication infrastructure for field area networks. The design was validated by testing the developed prototype. For practical implementation of the monitoring of the field area network, multiple sensors units were placed for data collection for better accuracy and the avoidance of estimation error. The developed design uses one sensor and tested it for IoT applications. The prototype was validated for local and wide area networks. Most of the present literature depicts a design of various systems using protocols such as IEEE 802.15.1 and IEEE 802.15.4, which either provide restricted access in terms of area or have lower data rates. The protocols used in developed system such as IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.3 provide ubiquitous coverage as well as high data rates. These are well-established and proven protocols for Internet applications and data communication but less explored for smart grid applications. The work depicted in this paper provides a solution for all three smart grid hierarchical networks such as home/field area networks, neighborhood area networks, and wide area networks using prototype development and testing. It lays a foundation for actual network design and implementation. The designed system can be extended for multiple sensor nodes for practical implementation in field area networks for better accuracy and in the case of node failure.

On the economic benefits of software-defined networking and network slicing for smart grid communications

To ensure stable operation, Smart Grids rely on ultra-reliable, low latency communications for transmitting critical measurements and control commands. Though modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides adequate means for asserting hard service guarantees, the installation, configuration and operation of corresponding infrastructures is typically very costly, involving significant administration efforts. Therefore, we propose Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to facilitate configuration and administration drastically, thus reducing expenditures. We identify technical advantages of introducing this approach to Smart Grid communication infrastructures and derive economic benefits. Numerical results for a reference power system indicate Operational Expenditures (OPEX)-driven savings that allow SDN solutions to outperform legacy networks within less than four years. Also, SDN-driven network slicing enables sharing infrastructures between critical power systems and end consumer broadband traffic, allowing for further cost reductions, while maintaining hard service guarantees. Under this paradigm, we compare the installation and operation of dedicated infrastructure by the grid operator to arranging service contracts with telecommunication network operators. This is referred to as make or buy decision. It can be deduced that a shared infrastructure, building on network slicing, provides an optimal solution for both parties.

Green Energy Scheduling for Demand Side Management in the Smart Grid

Demand side management (DSM) is an essential property of smart grid systems. Along with increasing expectations related to power quality from customers, and as new types of loads emerge, such as electric vehicles, local (renewable) energy generation, and stationary and mobile energy storage, it is critical to develop new methods for DSM. In this paper, we first construct a more efficient and reliable communication infrastructure in smart grid based on cognitive radio technology, which is an essential component for enabling DSM. Then, we propose a distributed energy storage planning approach based on game algorithm in DSM, which helps users select the appropriate size of storage units for balancing the cost in the planning period and during its use. Since planning problems may lead to consumer discomfort, we propose a cost function consisting of the billing, generation costs, and discomfort costs to balance users’ preferences with the payment. Furthermore, a game theory-based distributed energy management scheme is developed in DSM without leaking user privacy, which is used as inner optimization in our proposed distributed energy storage planning approach. In this energy management scheme, Nash equilibrium is obtained with minimum information exchange using proximal decomposition algorithm. Simulation results show superior performance of our proposed DSM mechanism in reducing the peak-to-average ratio, total cost, user’s daily payment, and energy consumption in smart grid communication networks.

Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure, Automation Technologies and Recent Trends

In the last century, there was no major alteration in the structure of power grids. Studies have shown that existing infrastructure is no longer suitable to meet requirements of the future. To overcome the challenges and fulfil future requirements, we need a network that is reliable, efficient and intelligent. This has led to the development of emerging concept of smart grid (SG). Smart grids are the next generation of electrical power grids; a promising solution to overcome energy crises. Smart grid system is the integration of advanced computing and communication technologies with power system infrastructure. In this paper, we provide a survey of the communication infrastructure in smart grids that includes communication architecture and different network compositions, technologies, and intelligent functions that are employed in this architecture. This survey is expected to provide improved understanding of the technologies, its potential benefits and impact. Moreover, we intend to provoke interest amongst the research community to discover more about this emerging area to realize the potential of smart grid concept.

Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure Comparison–For Distributed Control of Distributed Energy Resources Using Internet of Things Devices

Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure Comparison–For Distributed Control of Distributed Energy Resources Using Internet of Things Devices

Design and Implementation of Remote Wireless Monitoring and Control of Smart Power System Using Personal Area Network

The most essential requirement of empowerment is energy. Smart grid technology is a significant leap towards reliable and consistent electricity. Integration of information and communication technologies is a vital part of smart grid progress. Smart grid communication infrastructure is a hierarchical network integrating heterogeneous set of communication standards and technologies. Microgrid plays an important role as a strategic component of smart grid as it enables the use of renewable energy resources. It can resolve the issues like unelectrified villages, electricity theft, depletion of fossil fuels, Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and greenhouse effect. Smart microgrid can operate on both is land as well as grid connected mode. It also contains various hierarchical communication networks for monitoring and control of complete system. This paper describes an experimental investigation of wireless monitoring and control of smart microgrid prototype using IEEE 802.15.1 based low power Personal Area Network.

Identity‐based schemes for a secured big data and cloud ICT framework in smart grid system

AbstractSmart grid is an intelligent cyber physical system (CPS). The CPS generates a massive amount of data for efficient grid operation. In this paper, a big data‐driven, cloud‐based information and communication technology (ICT) framework for smart grid CPS is proposed. The proposed ICT framework deploys hybrid cloud servers to enhance scalability and reliability of smart grid communication infrastructure. Because the data in the ICT framework contains much privacy of customers and important data for automated controlling, the security of data transmission must be ensured. In order to secure the communications over the Internet in the system, identity‐based schemes are proposed especially because of their advantage in key management. Specifically, an identity‐based signcryption (IBSC) scheme is proposed to provide confidentiality, non‐repudiation, and data integrity. For practical purposes, an identity‐based signature scheme is relaxed from the proposed IBSC to provide non‐repudiation only. Moreover, identity‐based schemes are also proposed to achieve signature delegation within the ICT framework. Security of the proposed IBSC scheme is rigorously analyzed in this work. Efficiency of the proposed IBSC scheme is demonstrated with an implementation using modified Weil pairing over an elliptic curve. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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%.

Ring-like reliable PON planning with physical constraints for a smart grid

Due to the high reliability requirements in the communication networks of a smart grid, a ring-like reliable PON is an ideal choice to carry power distribution information. Economical network planning is also very important for the smart grid communication infrastructure. Although the ring-like reliable PON has been widely used in the real applications, as far as we know, little research has been done on the network optimization subject of the ring-like reliable PON. Most PON planning research studies only consider a star-like topology or cascaded PON network, which barely guarantees the reliability requirements of the smart grid. In this paper, we mainly investigate the economical network planning problem for the ring-like reliable PON of the smart grid. To address this issue, we built a mathematical model for the planning problem of the ring-like reliable PON, and the objective was to minimize the total deployment costs under physical constraints. The model is simplified such that all of the nodes have the same properties, except OLT, because each potential splitter site can be located in the same ONU position in power communication networks. The simplified model is used to construct an optimal main tree topology in the complete graph and a backup-protected tree topology in the residual graph. An efficient heuristic algorithm, called the Constraints and Minimal Weight Oriented Fast Searching Algorithm (CMW-FSA), is proposed. In CMW-FSA, a feasible solution can be obtained directly with oriented constraints and a few recursive search processes. From the simulation results, the proposed planning model and CMW-FSA are verified to be accurate (the error rates are less than 0.4%) and effective compared with the accurate solution (CAESA), especially in small and sparse scenarios. The CMW-FSA significantly reduces the computation time compared with the CAESA. The time complexity algorithm of the CMW-FSA is acceptable and calculated as T(n)=O(n3). After evaluating the effects of the parameters of the two PON systems, the total planning costs of each scenario show a general declining trend and reach a threshold as the respective maximal transmission distances and maximal time delays increase.

Enhancing Security Gaps in Smart Grid Communication

In order to develop smart grid communications infrastructure, a high level of interconnectivity and reliability among its nodes is required. Sensors, advanced metering devices, electrical appliances, and monitoring devices, just to mention a few, will be highly interconnected allowing for the seamless flow of data. Reliability and security in this flow of data between nodes is crucial due to the low latency and cyber-attacks resilience requirements of the Smart Grid. In particular, Artificial Intelligence techniques such as Fuzzy Logic, Bayesian Inference, Neural Networks, and other methods can be employed to enhance the security gaps in conventional IDSs. A distributed FPGA-based network with adaptive and cooperative capabilities can be used to study several security and communication aspects of the smart grid infrastructure both from the attackers and defensive point of view. In this paper, the vital issue of security in the smart grid is discussed, along with a possible approach to achieve this by employing FPGA based Radial Basis Function (RBF) network intrusion.

Coexistence Analysis of H2H and M2M Traffic in FiWi Smart Grid Communications Infrastructures Based on Multi-Tier Business Models

In this paper, we study the performance of multi-tier integrated fiber-wireless (FiWi) smart grid communications infrastructures based on low cost, simple, and reliable next-generation passive optical network (PON) with quality-of-service (QoS) enabled wireless local area networks (WLANs) in terms of capacity, latency, and reliability. We study the coexistence of human-to-human (H2H), e.g., triple-play traffic and machine-to-machine (M2M) traffic originating from wireless sensors operating on a wide range of possible configurations. Our analysis enables the quantification of the maximum achievable data rates of both event- and time-driven wireless sensors without violating given upper delay limits of H2H traffic. By using experimental measurements of real-world smart grid applications, we investigate the impact of variable H2H traffic loads on the sensor end-to-end delay performance. The obtained results show that a conventional Ethernet PON may cause a bottleneck and increase the delay for both H2H and M2M traffic. In contrast, by using a 10 G-EPON or wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) PON, the bottleneck arises in the wireless network. Furthermore, we study the interplay between time- and event-driven nodes and show that the theoretical upper bound of time-driven sensors decreases linearly as a function of the number of sensors, whereas with event-driven sensors, the upper bound decrease is nonlinear and more pronounced.

Total Cost of Ownership and Risk Analysis of Collaborative Implementation Models for Integrated Fiber-Wireless Smart Grid Communications Infrastructures

Most previous total cost of ownership (TCO) studies give insight into the overall costs of various communications network architectures under the assumption of the traditional vertical integration model. However, it is necessary to take a closer look at the possibilities and gains achieved through collaboration. In this work, we develop a flexible, generic yet comprehensive TCO framework for the rollout of integrated fiber-wireless (FiWi) smart grid communications infrastructures. Further, we propose a novel collaborative implementation model for a shared infrastructure for both broadband access and smart grid communications. In addition, we take into account that buildings currently shift from a product to a service (i.e, renewable power supply) and exploit the idea that housing companies may collaborate by offering surplus renewable energy to communications network providers across interconnected smart microgrids. We study the impact of our implementation model on TCO and compare it with the vertical integration model. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis for the key cost parameters and analyze the risks related to solar power intermittency and random fiber cuts in terms of power service penalty, fiber cut related costs, and TCO.