Future Generation 5G Wireless Networks for Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Wireless cellular networks are emerging to take a strong stand in attempts to achieve pervasive large scale obtainment, communication, and processing with the evolution of the fifth generation (5G) network. Both the present day cellular technologies and the evolving new age 5G are considered to be advantageous for the smart grid. The 5G networks exhibit relevant services for critical and timely applications for greater aspects in the smart grid. In the present day electricity markets, 5G provides new business models to the energy providers and improves the way the utility communicates with the grid systems. In this work, a complete analysis and a review of the 5G network and its vision regarding the smart grid is exhibited. The work discusses the present day wireless technologies, and the architectural changes for the past years are shown. Furthermore, to understand the user-based analyses in a smart grid, a detailed analysis of 5G architecture with the grid perspectives is exhibited. The current status of 5G networks in a smart grid with a different analysis for energy efficiency is vividly explained in this work. Furthermore, focus is emphasized on future reliable smart grid communication with future roadmaps and challenges to be faced. The complete work gives an in-depth understanding of 5G networks as they pertain to future smart grids as a comprehensive analysis.Energies 2019, 12, 2140 2 of 17 a need for an information system network that covers all the substations connected with the user facilities and the utilities. This provides the required system analysis with the needed reliable communication systems, which is an important building block of smart grid visibility.According to the communication standards, different communication technologies [11,12] can be classified based on either wired and wireless communications. Presently, wireless communications are preferred over wired communications for various reasons and in distinct applications with the reliability of cost at lower rates. This enhances infrastructure and provides readily available connections, even in remote areas. There are diverse factors, such as operational costs, environmental concerns, and availability of resources, to consider when choosing a proper, stable communication system. The voluminous and steady growth of communication technology over past decades is clearly explained in Figure 1. The development of new communication infrastructure with the existing wireless technologies can be more advantageous in smart grids. This provides advanced infrastructure where the need to spend additional cost and time [13] can be avoided. This establishes up-gradation of new wireless communication technologies for future smart grid communication systems [14][15][16][17][18][19]. For the past four decades-and marching towards the new wave of the technological era-growth of communication technologies has been an inevitable part of all modes of applications. To address prominent issues for developing new generation cellular communications, certain para...

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