Smart Grid Services Research Articles

Insights from Stakeholders of Five Residential Smart Grid Pilot Projects in the Netherlands

This paper presents insights and perceptions of stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of residential smart grid pilot projects in the Netherlands, adding to the limited information that is currently available in this area, while expectations about the potential benefits of smart grids are high. The main research questions of this study are: (1) How have some typical residential smart grid pilots in the Netherlands been set up? (2) Which stakeholders are involved in these pilots in the year 2014? (3) What are their views and perceptions with regards to the development and performance of residential smart grids? and (4) What do these stakeholders think about the products and services that may support an active participation of end-users in a smart energy home? To obtain information, we evaluated five residential smart grid pilot projects where smart energy products and services have been implemented. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine stakeholders involved in these projects. The Strategic Niche management framework was used to identify the present state of development and implementation of smart grid pilots. Our study shows that in the Netherlands residential smart grid pilots have been set-up and funded mainly by the government and grid operators. Other stakeholders involved include energy suppliers, end-users (as an energy cooperative or individual household), product and service suppliers, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies, and knowledge institutes. Currently a technology-push approach exists which barely includes an integrated approach towards smart grids products and services development. To the opinion of the interviewed stakeholders, current products and services offered in residential smart grid pilots are functionally attractive, but often too technically complex for the understanding of end-users. Hence, the general view held by respondents is that end-users should be the starting point in the development of smart grid products and services at the residential areas.

Adaptation of Powerline Communications-Based Smart Metering Deployments to the Requirements of Smart Grids

Powerline communications (PLC)-based smart meter deployments are now a reality in many regions of the world. Although PLC elements are generally incorporated in smart meters and data concentrators, the underlying PLC network allows the integration of other smart grid services directly over it. The remote control capabilities that automation programs need and are today deployed over their medium voltage (MV) grid, can be extended to the low voltage (LV) grid through these existing PLC networks. This paper demonstrates the capabilities of narrowband high data rate (NB HDR) PLC technologies deployed over LV grids for smart metering purposes to support internet protocol internet protocol (IP) communications in the LV grid. The paper demonstrates these possibilities with the presentation of the simulation and laboratory results of IP communications over international telecommunication union: ITU-T G.9904 PLC technology, and the definition of a PLC Network Management System based on a simple network management protocol (SNMP) management information base (MIB) definition and applicable use cases.

A novel security architecture of electronic vehicle system for smart grid communication

As ICT is incorporated into the existing electrical grid, security threats can also be unintentionally introduced to the Smart Grid, as has happened with conventional information and communication networks. To avoid this, a new security architecture design addressing the particular characteristics of ICT is required. This paper proposes a logical architecture considering the case of electric vehicle telecommunication, which is one of the core Smart Grid services and one closely related to actual users. Based on that architecture, we analyzed the security threats and the respective security measures required to respond to them. By analyzing the security techniques and algorithms applicable to the Smart Grid environment and applying them to address its security requirements and threats we proposed a new security architecture for Smart Grid.

Trends and Potentials of the Smart Grid Infrastructure: From ICT Sub-System to SDN-Enabled Smart Grid Architecture

Context and situational awareness are key features and trends of the smart grid and enable adaptable, flexible and extendable smart grid services. However, the traditional hardware-dependent communication infrastructure is not designed to identify the flow and context of data, and it focuses only on packet forwarding using a pre-defined network configuration profile. Thus, the current network infrastructure may not dynamically adapt the various business models and services of the smart grid system. To solve this problem, software-defined networking (SDN) is being considered in the smart grid, but the design, architecture and system model need to be optimized for the smart grid environment. In this paper, we investigate the state-of-the-art smart grid information subsystem, communication infrastructure and its emerging trends and potentials, called an SDN-enabled smart grid. We present an abstract business model, candidate SDN applications and common architecture of the SDN-enabled smart grid. Further, we compare recent studies into the SDN-enabled smart grid depending on its service functionalities, and we describe further challenges of the SDN-enabled smart grid network infrastructure.

Security system architecture for data integrity based on a virtual smart meter overlay in a smart grid system

As an efficient and intelligent system for managing and monitoring electricity usage, the "smart grid" has many useful applications. It supports energy producers and energy consumers efficiently by supporting the estimation and provision of the proper amount of electricity at the proper time. The most serious threat to a smart grid system may be when information is altered or forged by attackers; the system could malfunction and could collapse. In some cases, the attackers could waste system resources on purpose and this could lead to disastrous results. In this paper, we propose security system architecture to provide the secure and reliable smart grid service. It includes a data authentication process to verify the aggregated data and virtual network management to detect a compromised area or node. It detects a false data injection attack and further prevents a denial of service attack efficiently with less overhead for the individual devices comprising the smart grid system.

Smart Grids: Historical Context, Standards, and Advances [Book Review

This book explores the creation, development and applications supported by smart grids. Discusses the historical development of smart grid technology and the communications and power services provided. Identifies power generation and power distribution from smart grids. Identifies the planning and management of smart grid technologies. Also examines technological advancements in power electronics and looks at what lies ahead in smart grid applications and services.

Plan of Power Communication Network Based on Smart Grid Services

Based on available data and predictions of power distribution and utilization communication services in smart grid of a realistic province, a plan for power communication network is proposed. For access network, communication strategies are explored based on load density of different power supply areas. As for transport network, architecture of trunk and local network is designed and its feasibility is discussed in terms of bandwidth utilization and network survivability.

Dynamic Access Control Model for Security Client Services in Smart Grid

In the next-generation intelligent power grid, known as the smart grid, various objects can access systems in several network environments, and, accordingly, access control security becomes critical. Thus, to provide users with secure services in the smart grid, a new access control security model is needed. This paper proposes a dynamic access model for secure user services in the smart grid environment. The proposed model analyzes the user's various access contexts and chooses an appropriate context type among the predefined context types. And then it applies the context-based user security policy to allow the user's access to services dynamically. Therefore, it provides stronger security services by permitting context information-applied security services and flexible access control in various network environments. It is expected that this study will be used to solve important access control issues when establishing the smart grid.

Hybrid Spectrum Access in Cognitive-Radio-Based Smart-Grid Communications Systems

Cognitive-radio-based smart-grid networks have been studied recently as an efficient and reliable communications infrastructure for the future power grid. In this paper, we consider the spectrum resource management in cognitive-radio-based smart-grid networks. A new spectrum access paradigm called hybrid spectrum access (HSA) is proposed, in which both licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands are intelligently scheduled for the transmission of smart-grid services. The admission control problem under HSA is deliberately investigated. Furthermore, the impact of spectrum sensing error on the performance of HSA is analyzed by using a multidimensional Markov chain. Regarding the practical applications of the smart grid, two optimization problems, namely, cost-driven spectrum leasing and quality of service (QoS)-driven spectrum management, are formulated. Numeric results indicate that the HSA strategy is able to significantly improve the QoS of the smart-grid services, save the cost in spectrum leasing, and maintain the system interference at a sufficiently low range.

A study of factors enhancing smart grid consumer engagement

It is important to ensure consumer acceptance in a smart grid since the ultimate deployment of the smart grid depends on the end users׳ acceptance of smart grid products and services such as smart meters and advanced metering services. We examine how residential consumers perceive the smart grid and what factors influence their acceptance of the smart grid through a survey for electricity consumers in Korea. In this study, consumers׳ smart grid acceptance factors, including the perceived risk, were examined with the existing technology acceptance model suggested by Davis. This study has an implication that it has provided theoretical and empirical ground, based on which the policies to promote consumer participation in the deployment of the smart grid can be developed. Since there are few studies on the policies from the perspective of the smart grid users, this study will contribute directly to the development of the strategy to ensure the acceptance of the smart grid.

Buildings as Components of Smart Grids – Perspectives of Different Stakeholders

This paper provides the perceptions of the energy and buildings sectors, municipalities and researchers in Sweden about active buildings that provide smart grid services to their inhabitants. As part of this study, we conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders to present the perspectives of stakeholders that are involved in the development process. Our study shows that there are several barriers to development of active buildings and points out the importance of energy policy mechanisms to support the development. It is necessary to introduce new measures in order to financially encourage the stakeholders and motivate the end-users to invest in smart grid technologies. The elimination of the intersectoral barriers and the promotion of cooperation amongst stakeholders could pave the way for a more efficient and smarter grid.

Implementation of Privacy Policy-based Protection System in BEMS based Smart Grid Service

The fact that the information can be collected not only by the government and power companies but also individual users adds seriousness to the problem. In this paper examined this issue by focusing on the load management system based on BEMS that uses the privacy policy-based protection system in the smart grid environment. The structure of the privacy policy-based protection system using load management system in the smart grid environment is the structure that serves data in the load management system to the web through the application service network. For this, the privacy policy-based protection system suggested and developed the smart grid privacy policy-based protection system which controls service access by protecting items related to the personal information of the user and setting the privacy protection level for each item.

SERVICE ORIENTED CLOUD ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF SMART GRID APPLICATIONS

An effective and flexible computational platform is needed for the data coordination and processing as sociated with real time operational and application services in smart grid. A server environment where multiple applications a re hosted by a common pool of virtualized server resources demands an open source structure for ensuring operational flexibility. In this paper, open source architecture is proposed for real time services whi ch involve data coordination and processing. The ar chitecture enables secure and reliable exchange of information and transactions w ith users over the internet to support various serv ices. Prioritizing the applications based on complexity enhances efficienc y of resource allocation in such situations. A prio rity based scheduling algorithm is proposed in the work for application level perfo rmance management in the structure. Analytical mode l based on queuing theory is developed for evaluating the performance of the tes t bed. The implementation is done using open stack cloud and the test results show a significant gain of 8% with the algorithm.

Guest Editorial Special Section on Smart Grid Technology in South Korea

The thirteen papers in this special section address smart grid technology, applications, and services deployed in South Korea.

Privacy-preserving data aggregation in smart metering systems: an overview

Growing energy needs are forcing governments to look for alternative resources and ways to better manage the energy grid and load balancing. As a major initiative, many countries including the United Kingdom, United States, and China have already started deploying smart grids. One of the biggest advantages of smart grids compared to traditional energy grids is the ability to remotely read fine-granular measurements from each smart meter, which enables the grid operators to balance load efficiently and offer adapted time-dependent tariffs. However, collecting fine-granular data also poses a serious privacy threat for the citizens as illustrated by the decision of the Dutch Parliament in 2009 that rejects the deployment of smart meters due to privacy considerations. Hence, it is a must to enforce privacy rights without disrupting the smart grid services like billing and data aggregation. Secure signal processing (SSP) aims at protecting the sensitive data by means of encryption and provides tools to process them under encryption, effectively addressing the smart metering privacy problem.

Service Systems Engineering Applications

The rapid growth in the global service economy has greatly increased research in Service Science and Service Systems Engineering (SSE). In Service Systems practice, the service value chain in terms of links among system entities is defined to co- create value and deliver high quality of service. A Service System is thus defined by its value co-creation chain in which all relevant stakeholders collaborate dynamically in real time or near-real time to deliver high quality service according to the business, service, and customer goals. This paper illustrates how SSE can help define, and discover relationships among Service System entities and addresses the service-oriented, customer-centric, holistic systems view in order to plan, design, adapt or self- adapt to co-create value. Modern service systems, which may be classified as system of systems (SoS), mandate well-defined integration and governance to link service system entities for the real-time dynamic analysis of ever-changing requirements within a Service System. In this paper, SSE concepts and methodologies are applied across various SSE stages to describe an intelligent emergency transportation system and a near real-time dynamic Smart Grid service system. Additionally, issues which need to be addressed within SSE methodologies for global deployment of efficient world-wide service systems are discussed. Finally, future work required for improving current SSE methodologies and help steer research towards achieving global service effectiveness is discussed.

Learning automata as a utility for power management in smart grids

The rapid growth of smart grid systems demands efficient management of smart grid services. Smart grids are expected to enable the delivery and management of electricity in a more reliable, efficient, economical, and secured manner. Thus, the development of effective power management solutions for smart grids to meet these challenges is an important area of research in recent times. In this article, we propose using learning automata (LA), a computational learning utility, for efficient power management in smart grids (LAPM). The proposed system, LAPM, helps in identifying the electricity required for various distribution substations and controls the usage of power by various devices (i.e., preventing unauthorized use of power). The use of LA enables performing a dynamic analysis of power usage and providing decision making for its effective usage. The system is evaluated on a real-life-resembling environment, with respect to parameters such as power utilization and customer satisfaction.

Security Requirements to Provide Smart Grid Services

Security Requirements to Provide Smart Grid Services

Generic customer segments and business models for smart grids

The implementation of smart grids—one of the urgent goals to meet international policy expectations for energy efficiency and CO2 reduction targets—is not a technological issue alone, as it also requires social acceptance by various stakeholders (Wolsink, Renew Sustain Energy Rev, 2011). It is of particular interest that smart grid products and services provide value to the customer. On the one hand, customer value of smart grid technologies is crucial to customer acceptance. On the other hand, as customer value is a key driver for economic value creation and competitive advantage (DeSarbo et al., Strategic Manag J 22:845–857, 2001; Porter, Competitive advantage, 1985), it is also important for companies and investors and thus will affect market acceptance of smart grid technologies. In the literature, business models address the bridge between customers and company needs and serve as mediators between technology and economic success by providing a value proposition to customers and a revenue model for companies (Chesbrough and Rosenbloom, Ind Corp Chang 11:529–555, 2002). However, we know from the literature that a one-size-fits-all business model may not lead to the best results as it might fail to address heterogeneous customer value perceptions (DeSarbo et al., Strategic Manag J 22:845–857, 2001; Morris et al., J Bus Res 58:726–735, 2005; Ruiz et al., Serv Ind J 27:1087–1110, 2007; Wiedmann et al., Psychol Mark 26:625–651, 2009). Thus, different business models providing different customer value propositions need to be developed to fit the different market segments in an optimal way. On the basis of a cross-European country study, we explore three generic B2C customer segments for smart grid products and services based on different value perceptions (Supporters, Ambiguous and Skeptics). Based on the segmentation we conceptually derive four generic business model designs with different customer value propositions best suited for approaching those segments (Saver, Smart +, Trader, Smart Camouflage). Implications for energy policy, research and smart grid management are derived from the findings.

Security Is Not Enough! On Privacy Challenges in Smart Grids

Smart Grid solutions are being rolled out at large scale these days. While security concerns are addressed on various levels and sophisticated technical measures applied, privacy issues are still not fully understood yet. The generation of high-frequency meter readings exposes customers to new threats. Various politic initiatives thus aim towards a strong regulatory framework to enable an appropriate protection of the customers' privacy. We argue that finally the only effective measure is to avoid the production of personalized fine-grained meter readings. However, it is important to study the impact of available technical privacy protection concepts on smart grid services, including demand management, load forecasting and energy theft protection, which typically rely on these data. Therefore, in this paper we outline the privacy challenge and the concept of privacy-by-design. In particular, we discuss privacy protection methods and compare them in terms of applicability and impact on smart grid services.