The prospect of Smart Grid (SG) is becoming a reality in the recent years, covering different areas like smart metering, demand side management, or distributed generation. Communications play a central role in the SG architecture, because the power utilities need to collect important information to make optimal decisions for efficient power generation, transmission and distribution. This paper discusses the state-ofthe-art of narrow-band high-speed power line communications (PLC) -a promising communication platform for SG which offers advantages in coverage, costs and availability. Further, the paper presents an overview of DLC+VIT4IP (Distribution Line Carrier: Verification, Integration and Test of PLC Technologies and IP Communication for Utilities) a EU funded project under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) that aims to extend the existing PLC technologies by developing efficient transport of IPv6 protocol, automatic measurement, configuration and management, and security. In addition, the project is exploiting frequency ranges up to 500 kHz, to support systems serving larger smart grid applications.
Building automation and control systems (BACS) are an important part of modern automated buildings. More and more they are also responsible for functions affecting people's safety, security and health. Thus the respective technology is supposed to work reliably, securely, safely and efficiently. The two important features of such a BACS are functional safety and system security (short safety and security) of both the network nodes and the communication protocols. Up to now little effort has been made to specify a life cycle for a safe and secure BACS that defines requirements for the different stages of the product life of a BACS. Special focus is related to the commonalities between the development of safety and security systems to benefit from these commonalities in development.
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