Smart Grid Communication Protocols: Enhancing Grid Information Sharing & Stability
Smart grid communication protocol is the basis for realizing smart grid interconnection and information sharing. In recent years, with the expansion of the scale of the electric power system, the deepening of the electric power market reform, the rapid development of the electric power industry production technology, a variety of new technologies, new businesses, new needs continue to emerge, the requirements for the safe operation of the power grid are getting higher and higher, and the information management and scheduling automation system puts forward higher requirements for the safe, stable and economic operation of the power system. In order to adapt to the development of production technology in electric power industry and meet the needs of safe and stable operation of power grid and optimized dispatching control, in recent years, the State Grid Corporation has adopted a variety of communication networks and communication modes in the process of smart grid construction. These different networks and communication methods not only have their own characteristics and scope of application, but also have certain conflicts and contradictions.
Different communication networks
Smart grid requires the integration of multiple networks and communication modes, such as smart substations, smart power distribution systems, distributed generation and microgrid systems, electric vehicle charging networks, and other new business development needs. At the same time, there are certain conflicts and contradictions between these communication methods, which require reasonable combination and arrangement of different communication methods.
Different communication protocols
Communication protocols are the basis of smart grid information sharing and the technical means of smart grid information sharing. At present, a variety of communication methods and communication networks are used in the construction of China’s smart grid, and these different communication networks and communication methods produce different communication protocols, which are also the basis of smart grid information sharing. By analyzing and comparing different communication protocols, we can find that various communication protocols have different characteristics and are suitable for different application scenarios. The following is a comparative analysis of the application of various communication protocols in smart grids, with a view to providing reference for the design and construction of smart grids by the State Grid Corporation.
Power Private Network
Power private network is to provide a dedicated data service communication channel for the power grid communication system. According to the characteristics of the power communication network of the State Grid Corporation, the power private network should meet the following requirements:
- Data services must be carried by IP and should be carried in the fiber optic channel. Adopt electrical signal to transmit data, and transmit data and voice through power lines.
2, must use multi-point to multi-point IP bearer network, each node must be deployed more than 2 sets of core equipment.
3、Each fiber optic channel must meet certain bandwidth requirements, and networks that cannot meet the delay requirements cannot access the power communication system.
4、When the same service requires multiple lines for transmission, the corresponding IP bearer network should be configured in the fiber optic channel and realized by means of electric connection. In case of failure, a dual-routing program must be adopted to ensure the normal operation of the communication system.
Smart Meter
Smart meter is an important part of power consumption information collection system, which is a power measurement device that records, transmits and controls the collected power consumption data after processing. Smart meter is a new type of measuring instrument in electric power system, which has the characteristics of high measuring accuracy, wide range and intelligentization.
Adopting special integrated circuits and new electronic components, smart meter can measure the user’s electric energy in real time and accurately with electric energy as the energy carrier. It has the functions of electric energy data storage, electric energy data processing, data communication, data display and electric energy measurement. Users can conveniently query the historical power consumption and manage the power usage through the operation interface of the smart meter, obtain real-time and non-real-time power consumption information through communication with the smart meter, and realize remote meter reading and other functions.
Other Communication Methods
In the process of smart grid construction, power line carrier communication, power line fiber optic transmission, power line carrier communication (also known as narrowband transmission) and other communication methods are also used, which play an important role in different stages of smart grid development, but there are some problems in the application process, such as unstable communication quality, low data rate, weak anti-interference ability, etc., and therefore, it is necessary to optimize these communication methods to be optimized.