This paper provides a study of the smart grid projects realised in Europe and presents their technological solutions with a focus on smart metering Low Voltage (LV) applications. Special attention is given to the telecommunications technologies used. For this purpose, we present the telecommunication technologies chosen by several European utilities for the accomplishment of their smart meter national roll-outs. Further on, a study is performed based on the European Smart Grid Projects, highlighting their technological options. The range of the projects analysed covers the ones including smart metering implementation as well as those in which smart metering applications play a significant role in the overall project success. The survey reveals that various topics are directly or indirectly linked to smart metering applications, like smart home/building, energy management, grid monitoring and integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Therefore, the technological options that lie behind such projects are pointed out. For reasons of completeness, we also present the main characteristics of the telecommunication technologies that are found to be used in practice for the LV grid.
Demand response services and energy communities are set to be vital in bringing citizens to the core of the energy transition. The success of load flexibility integration in the electricity market, provided by demand response services, will depend on a redesign or adaptation of the current regulatory framework, which so far only reaches large industrial electricity users. However, due to the high contribution of the residential sector to electricity consumption, there is huge potential when considering the aggregated load flexibility of this sector. Nevertheless, challenges remain in load flexibility estimation and attaining data integrity while respecting consumer privacy. This study presents a methodology to estimate such flexibility by integrating a non-intrusive load monitoring approach to load disaggregation algorithms in order to train a machine-learning model. We then apply a categorization of loads and develop flexibility criteria, targeting each load flexibility amplitude with a corresponding time. Two datasets, Residential Energy Disaggregation Dataset (REDD) and Refit, are used to simulate the flexibility for a specific household, applying it to a grid balancing event request. Two algorithms are used for load disaggregation, Combinatorial Optimization, and a Factorial Hidden Markov model, and the U.K. demand response Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) program is used for market integration. Results show a maximum flexibility power of 200–245 W and 180–500 W for the REDD and Refit datasets, respectively. The accuracy metrics of the flexibility models are presented, and results are discussed considering market barriers.
Interoperability is a challenge for the realisation of smart grids. In this work, we first present an interoperability testing methodology, which is substantial to perform interoperability tests for the smart grid. To show its applicability and facilitate its comprehension, we present an example by applying it on a Demand Side Management (DSM) use case. The DSM use case is chosen because it is a major topic for modern grids and it involves the participation of many actors. The tutorial exemplifies the interactions among those actors. The Smart Grid Architecture Model SGAM framework is used, where the mapping of the use case is presented along with the Message Sequence Chart (MSC). Then we describe the profiling of the equipment, relevant technical information and standards, which form the basis for the design and execution of the interoperability tests. We focus on the technical part of the interoperability testing; therefore, attention is focused on the information and communication layer. We present how the interoperability tests should take place and we analytically show the respective Test Cases (TC). The verdict of the test should be either PASS or FAIL. The paper shows how to successfully use the methodology for interoperability testing on a specific use case, whereas its applicability can be extended to any smart grid interoperability use case.Interoperability refers to the ability of two or more devices from the same vendor, or different vendors, to exchange information and use that information for correct co-operation [4]. As stated by the CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group (SG-CG) [5], this definition is extended to "The ability of two or more networks, systems, devices, applications, or components to interwork, to exchange and use information in order to perform required functions." In addition, "Interoperability between systems in a smart grid must be considered and well specified in use cases, in order to develop interoperable Smart Grid systems by design. Use cases provide a basis for the specification of functional requirements, non-functional requirements, Test Cases (TC) and test profiles".A framework that has been used for Interoperability purposes is the Smart Grid Architecture Model SGAM model, which stands for "Smart Grid Architecture Model" and is the main outcome of Reference Architecture working group mandated by the EU's 490 Mandate [6] entitled "Smart Grid Mandate-Standardization Mandate to European Standardization Organizations (ESOs) to support European Smart Grid deployment".Based on the SGAM framework there are five different layers of interoperability:
The modernization of the distribution grid requires a huge amount of data to be transmitted and handled by the network. The deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure systems results in an increased traffic generated by smart meters. In this work, we examine the smart meter traffic that needs to be accommodated by a real distribution system. Parameters such as the message size and the message transmission frequency are examined and their effect on traffic is showed. Limitations of the system are presented, such as the buffer capacity needs and the maximum message size that can be communicated. For this scope, we have used the parameters of a real distribution network, based on a survey at which the European Distribution System Operators (DSOs) have participated. For the smart meter traffic, we have used two popular specifications, namely the G3-PLC-"G3 Power Line communication" and PRIME-acronym for "PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution", to simulate the characteristics of a system that is widely used in practice. The results can be an insight for further development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems that control and monitor the Low Voltage (LV) distribution grid. The paper presents an analysis towards identifying the needs of distribution networks with respect to telecommunication data as well as the main parameters that can affect the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) system performance. Identifying such parameters is consequently beneficial to designing more efficient ICT systems for Advanced Metering Infrastructure.Energies 2018, 11, 1156 2 of 27 load-shifting. On the other hand, the smart meters can be a useful interaction tool between the energy provider and the end user, via which the consumers can be actively involved in reducing their consumption [2].Smart meters have been widely employed both for national roll-outs as well as for the realization of smart grid projects [3]. Overall, it is expected that until 2020 around 200 million smart meters will be deployed with an estimated investment of 35 billion € [4]. Due to the increased interest on smart metering applications, there has been a development of the technologies that support them. Smart meter data transmission is usually divided in two links: the first link carries data from the smart meter to a data concentrator whereas the second link connects this data concentrator to the control center of the energy provider [5]. There are several telecommunication technologies utilized by smart metering applications and they are mainly distinguished according to the transmission medium used for the signals, thus being divided into wired and wireless [5]. A popular wired smart meter technology is the PLC (Power Line Communication) and in particular the NB-PLC (Narrow-Band PLC), which is used mainly for the first transmission link. Two popular technological solutions for NB-PLC are the PRIME [6] and G3-PLC [7] specifications, which constituted the main basis for the standards proposed by ITU and IEEE [8]. Cellular technol...
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