A control framework to develop smart grid communications: possible pointers from multiservice network research

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenge of developing an architecture for the Smart Grid with the particular focus to support Smart Grid communication. It considers the Smart Grid system in general to identify the relationship between the power distribution and communication networks, and then focuses mainly on Smart Grid communication requirements. It observes the similarity between the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for Smart Grid communications and those identified in multiservice networking. It reviews the principles of open communication and introduces architectures for open communication that have been enhanced to meet the requirements of multiservice. It discusses previous research into multiservice with a review into recent work focused on meeting the multiservice requirements of Smart Grid communications. Based on these, the paper presents key specific pointers toward defining a contextual control framework for the data transport system of the Smart Grid.