The document discusses the role of communications as a key enabler for the smart distribution network. It argues that power engineering innovation is increasingly dependent on communication capabilities. It outlines challenges with existing communication paradigms and key challenges that need to be addressed, including the need for cost-effective, ubiquitous, high-availability, and secure communications. It concludes that utilities, regulators, and the telecommunications industry need to work together to develop an integrated vision and strategy.

1. New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Communications – a mission critical enabler for the
smart distribution network
Wim D’Hondt
Accenture
Wim.dhondt@accenture.com

2. Focus of Talk New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
The talk outlines the role of communications as a key enabler to the smart distribution
network. It makes the case that innovation in grid capabilities is increasingly
dependent on communication capabilities. Required capabilities are briefly explained
and key challenges outlined. It concludes with a clear need for integrating power
engineering systems, communications and IT and recommendations on how utilities
should skill up, collaborate with industry and regulators, educate suppliers on utility
needs and lead the way towards standardization.

3. Power Engineering innovation requires
increasingly more cost-effective and capable
Communications New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
• Increased demand because of more innovative uses (electric
vehicles, smart cities, high resolution synchrophasors) will
require more capable, reliable, efficient and affordable 2-way
data communication
• The search for increased efficiencies in Grid operations and
distributed generation requires the communications
architecture to become increasingly more agile in supporting
distributed a distributed architecture

4. Challenges with existing
communications paradigm New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Historically Challenges
Communication links purpose-build and Building purpose build links for new
exclusive for each application applications is not cost effective and
existing links are rapidly becoming
unsupportable
Limited network connectivity especially Cost of communications was holding
in distribution networks back deployment of comms in
distribution.
Existing SCADA systems create trickles of Next Generation SCADA / control
Data schemes will require high resolution data
create a Data Tsunami
Limited integration of utilities with Interconnection required to enhance
neighbors. situational awareness between utilities

5. Key Challenges that need to be
addressed New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Business Requirements Approach
Cost effective solutions that support Integrated communications network that can
Plug and Play Applications support multiple applications
Ubiquitous coverage including hard to Complement wired and wireless technologies
reach and hazardous locations
Support expected Data Tsunami Efficient datatransfer mechanisms that
support realtime communications/monitoring
Support for high availability throughout Combine technologies and architectures to
the grid (up to 99,999+%) suit requirements
Support long 10-15 year lifecycle Select standard technologies that are mature
with strong eco systems
Provide secure and efficient Create standardised architecture that support
interconnectivity with neighbors Plug and Play (e.g. WECC)

6. Actors to Address the challenge New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
To solve this the telecommunications industry, regulatory bodies
and Power engineering need to work together
Telecommunications industry
• The Telecommunication Industry can offer significant
experience, knowledge and technology to support the build
out of the smart grid.
Regulatory bodies
• Need to recognize the challenge and importance and support
with funding, access to spectrum and ecosystem creation.
Utilities
• But Utilities have unique needs that will test typical design
principles and technologies

7. But each actor is wrestling with
concrete challenges New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Telecommunications industry
• Do they understand the utility industry challenge and requirements?
• How do they balance their priorities with they existing consumer business?
Regulatory
• How do I balance different requirements for spectrum (commercial
networks, Public Safety, Utilities)
Utilities
• Do they have the tools/process/people/skills to support complex
communication networks?
• Do they have access to funding and to build or own the communications
network?
• Is deploying Smart Metering an asset or hindrance for smart grid
• How can I keep the network secure?

8. Need for integrated vision, blueprint, strategy
and Plan New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Substation Automation: Corporate Applications:
• Real Time communication to RTUs, • Very high speed and low latency
breakers, relays, and other
• Carry Telecom Traffic for Utility
equipment.
• Carry Video and Security data
• Video Surveillance will drive up
from critical assets back to
data
control Center
speed requirements.
Smart Grid
Communications
AMI : Blueprint
Distribution Automation:
• Coverage across entire service
territory • Monitor capacitor banks
controls, regulators, switches,
• Capacity to support meter reading, reclosers, fault circuit indicators
demand response and HAN devices and sensors
• Reliable, secure and cost-effective • Low throughput, very low
7backhaul latency < 1 second for
• Security for data and integration messaging

9. Key focus areas
New Energy Horizons
Opportunities and Challenges
Key Areas of innovation required
• Need for cost effective communications that can be deployed fast,
secure and efficient.
• Suitability of IP to support integrated networks and power
engineering applications (teleprotection, monitoring etc…)
• Adapted distributed control mechanisms to increase survivability and
restoration
• Wireless technologies that support white space, unlicensed, semi-
licensed spectrum bands
• Security policies and mechanisms that provide multiple layers of
protection
• Control mechanisms to reliable support engineering applications over
commercial and public safety networks