This document proposes using MPLS network recovery models to enable smart grid communications. It discusses how the existing electric grid needs to transform into a smart grid to handle increasing energy demands. A robust, reliable, self-healing WAN is needed for smart grid monitoring and control. MPLS recovery models are proposed and simulated to provide different classes of service with minimal disruption times. The models aim to overcome challenges from fiber cuts, component failures or natural disasters.

1. ABSTRACT
ENABLING SMART GRID COMMUNICATIONS via MPLS
by
Apoorv Ranjan Khare
A clean green future, resistant to blackouts and capable of handling the increasing energy
demands, is surely the need of the hour. To accomplish this, the existing conventional
electric grid needs to be transformed to a "Smart Grid" that works efficiently.
For monitoring and control, the grid needs a robust, reliable, self-healing, and
secure WAN. The challenges to overcome are fiber cut, components failure and/or
natural disaster, which will result in link or node failures, and in turn affect the overall
grid performance. Such a WAN is intolerant of service disruption time of even sub-
milliseconds. To realize such a critical network, different network recovery models are
required for various classes of service.
In this thesis, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network recovery models
are proposed to enable grid communications. Four network recovery models were
simulated through Network Simulator (ns2), and the performances of individual models
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were compared against each other. The service disruption times and number of lost
packets of these models were evaluated, analyzed and used for suggesting appropriate
models for five different classes of service.

2. ENABLING SMART GRID COMMUNICATIONS via MPLS
by
Apoorv Ranjan Khare
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of
New Jersey Institute of Technology
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Telecommunications
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
January 2010

4. APPROVAL PAGE
ENABLING SMART GRID COMMUNICATIONS via MPLS
Apoorv Ranjan Khare
Dr. Nirwan Ansari, Thesis Advisor Date
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NJIT
Dr. Edwin Hou, Committee Member Date
Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NJIT
Dr. Mengchu Zhou, Committee Member Date
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NJIT

6. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Author: Apoorv Ranjan Khare
Degree: Master of Science
Date: January 2010
Date of Birth: September 29, 1984
Place of Birth: Jabalpur, India
Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
• Master of Science in Telecommunication,
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 2010
• Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunication,
National Institute of Technology, Raipur, India, 2007
Major: Telecommunications
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7. This thesis is dedicated in memory of my
Grand Ma (Dadi)
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8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I owe my deepest gratitude to my thesis advisor, Dr Nirwan Ansari whose patience,
encouragement and reassurance, helped me to explore this new area of Smart Grid. I
would like to thank Dr. Edwin Hou, and Dr Mengchu Zhou for actively participating in
my committee and providing me valuable support and guidance from their own areas of
expertise.
I would also appreciate the timely help and suggestions from Mr. Pitipatana
Sakarindr, doctoral candidate at NJIT whose insights to power communication networks
are second to none. My special thanks to Mr. Chao Zhang, also a doctoral candidate at
NJIT, for sharing his knowledge and experience he gained in Siemens. I am obliged to
Ms Christian Callergari from University of Pisa, Italy for her generosity to share some of
the ns2 patches for MPLS models.
I am indebted to my parents, uncle and aunt, without their motivation, enthusiasm
and research experience this thesis would not have completed. Last but not the least,
special gratitude to my sisters Mayooree, Ritu, and Hansa, and roommates for their
cooperation while writing this thesis.
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9. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
1 INTRODUCTION……............................………………..……………………….. 1
1.1 Foreground Information….........................................................……………... 1
1.2 Research Objective …………….…………………………………………..… 2
2 LITERATURE OVERVIEW …………………………………………..……….... 4
2.1 Gap Areas…………………………………………………………………….. 4
2.2 Smart Grid Architecture……….……………………………………………... 6
2.3 Layers of Interoperability…………………………………………………….. 7
2.3.1 Technical Driver……………………………………………………….. 7
2.3.2 Informational and Organizational Driver……………………………… 8
2.4 Conceptual Reference Model………..……………………………………...... 9
2.4.1 IP Based Networks…………………………………………………...... 12
2.4.2 Smart Grid Technologies……………………………………………… 12
2.5 Advanced Metering Infrastructure………………………………………..….. 13
2.6 Transmission and Distribution Network……………………………………... 18
2.6.1 NASPInet Framework…………………………………………………. 20
2.6.2 NERC CIP Framework………………………………………………… 26
2.7 Power Plant Communication………………………………………..………... 27
3 TECHNOLOGY FOR THE GRID MONITORING……………………………... 30
3.1 Challenges for Utilities ………………………………...…………………….. 30
3.2 Why not ICCP for Grid Monitoring………………………………………….. 31
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Chapter Page
3.3 Why MPLS…………………………………………………………………… 32
3.4 Benefits of MPLS…………………………………………………………….. 35
4 NETWORK RECOVERY WITH MPLS………………………………………… 37
4.1 Background…………………………………………………………………... 37
4.2 Definitions……………………………………………………………………. 38
4.3 Network Recovery Schemes…………………………………………………. 39
4.3.1 Local Repair……………………………………………………............ 40
4.3.2 Global Repair………………………………………………………….. 41
4.4 Label distributions……………………………………………………………. 42
4.5 Network Recovery Models…………………………………………………... 43
4.5.1 Makam Model…………………………………………………………. 43
4.5.2 Haskin Model………………………………………………………….. 44
4.5.3 Hundessa Model……………………………………………………….. 45
4.5.4 Local Protection Model………………………………………………... 46
4.5.5 Fast Reroute……………………………………………………………. 47
5 RESULTS…………………………………………………………………………. 49
5.1 Topology……………………………………………………………………... 49
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10. 5.2 Simulation Setup……………………………………………………………... 50
6 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….... 54
REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………… 55
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11. LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
2.1 Disruption and Latency Time for Different Class of Service………………….. 23
2.2 Traffic Priority for Varying Class of Service…………………………………... 24
2.3 Illustration of PMU-PDC Frames and Commands…………………………….. 26
3.1 Comparison between Core Backbone Network and Smart Grid WAN………... 33
5.1 Required PGW-PDC Bandwidth………………………………………………. 51
Sugg
5.2 Suggested Network Recovery Models for Different Class of Service……….... 53
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12. LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
2.1 GWAC eight layer model provides a context for determining Smart Grid
interoperability requirements…………………………………………………... 8
2.2 Smart Grid Domains…………………………………………………………… 10
2.3 Conceptual Reference Diagram of Smart Grid Domains……………………… 11
2.4 Information exchange in C12.21 and C12.22………………………………….. 16
2.5 Complex Power Transmission Network with 137 BA with AC and DC
transmission lines................................................................................................ 19
2.6 Proposed NASPInet WAN.................................................................................. 21
2.7 PMU Frame Transmission Order……………………………………………… 25
2.8 Existing WAMS, using ICCP for grid monitoring…………………………….. 29
3.1 Existing ICCP protocol for data exchange between utilities…………………... 32
3.2 Technology for the grid monitoring: suggested technology adheres to
NASPInet and NERC CIP requirements………………………………………. 34
3.3 Suggested NASPInet WAN, with MPLS technology for grid monitoring…….. 35
4.1 Makam model with end-to-end backup path…………………………………... 44
4.2 Haskin Model………………………………………………………………….. 45
4.3 Hundessa Model……………………………………………………………...... 46
4.4 Local Protection Model…………………………………………………........... 47
4.5 Fast Reroute with link failure………………………………………………….. 48
5.1 Topology of 25PGWs………………………………………………………….. 50
LIST OF FIGURES
(Continued)
Figure Page
5.2 Service disruption time for different MPLS models…………………………... 52
5.3 Suggested Network Recovery Models for Different Class of Service………… 53
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