A survey on communication networks for electric system automation

• Published in: Computer networks (Amsterdam, Netherlands : 1999) Vol. 50; no. 7; pp. 877 - 897
• Main Authors: Gungor, V.C., Lambert, F.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.05.2006; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automation; Communications networks; Communications technology; Competitive intelligence; Customer services; Data processing; Design; Electric power lines; Electric system automation; Electric utilities; Electricity supply industry; Exact sciences and technology; Interconnected networks; Internet based Virtual Private Network; Networks; Networks and services in france and abroad; Organization and planning of networks (techniques and equipments); Power line communication; Satellite communication; Satellite communications; Satellites; Studies; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Teleprocessing networks. Isdn; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Valuation and optimization of characteristics. Simulation; Virtual private networks; Virtual reality; WiMAX; Wireless communications; Wireless mesh networks; Wireless networks; Wireless sensor networks; Wireless sensor networks; Electric system automation; Wireless mesh networks; WiMAX; Internet based Virtual Private Network; Power line communication; Satellite communication; Profitability; Wireless telecommunication; Satellite telecommunication; Network architecture; Electric utility; Communication technology; Remote sensing; Data transmission network; Data communication; High rate transmission; High performance; Meshed network; Decision support system; Real time system; Carrier transmission on power lines; Telecommunication network; Internet; Open market; Virtual private networks; Long distance transmission; Sensor array
• ISSN: 1389-1286; 1872-7069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comnet.2006.01.005

In today’s competitive electric utility marketplace, reliable and real-time information become the key factor for reliable delivery of power to the end-users, profitability of the electric utility and customer satisfaction. The operational and commercial demands of electric utilities require a high-performance data communication network that supports both existing functionalities and future operational requirements. In this respect, since such a communication network constitutes the core of the electric system automation applications, the design of a cost-effective and reliable network architecture is crucial. In this paper, the opportunities and challenges of a hybrid network architecture are discussed for electric system automation. More specifically, Internet based Virtual Private Networks, power line communications, satellite communications and wireless communications (wireless sensor networks, WiMAX and wireless mesh networks) are described in detail. The motivation of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the hybrid network architecture that can provide heterogeneous electric system automation application requirements. In this regard, our aim is to present a structured framework for electric utilities who plan to utilize new communication technologies for automation and hence, to make the decision-making process more effective and direct.