Yakubu Tsado

Resilient communication for smart grid ubiquitous sensor network

We explored the adaptation of the USN architecture for SG communication.We reviewed existing communication technologies that can be deployed in SG USN.Vulnerability and challenges of the USN architecture for SG were highlighted.The choice of communication technologies reduces complexity in SG communication.A secure and QoS aware USN middleware can guarantee requirements of SG application. Smart grid combines a set of functionalities that can only be achieved through ubiquitous sensing and communication across the electrical grid. The communication infrastructure must be able to cope with an increasing number of traffic types which is as a result of increased control and monitoring, penetration of renewable energy sources and adoption of electric vehicles. The communication infrastructure must serve as a substrate that supports different traffic requirements such as QoS (i.e. latency, bandwidth and delay) across an integrated communication system. This engenders the implementation of middleware systems which considers QoS requirements for different types of traffic in order to allow prompt delivery of these traffic in a smart grid system. A heterogeneous communication applied through the adaptation of the Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) layered structure to smart grid has been proposed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This paper explores the ITUs USN architecture and presents the communication technologies which can be deployed within the USN schematic layers for a secure and resilient communication together with a study of their pros and cons, vulnerabilities and challenges. It also discusses the factors that can affect the selection of communication technologies and suggests possible communications technologies at different USN layers. Furthermore, the paper highlights the USN middleware system as an important mechanism to tackle scalability and interoperability problems as well as shield the communication complexities and heterogeneity of smart grid.

Resilient wireless communication networking for Smart grid BAN

The concept of Smart grid technology sets greater demands for reliability and resilience on communications infrastructure. Wireless communication is a promising alternative for distribution level, Home Area Network (HAN), smart metering and even the backbone networks that connect smart grid applications to control centres. In this paper, the reliability and resilience of smart grid communication network is analysed using the IEEE 802.11 communication technology in both infrastructure single hop and mesh multiple-hop topologies for smart meters in a Building Area Network (BAN). Performance of end to end delay and Round Trip Time (RTT) of an infrastructure mode smart meter network for Demand Response (DR) function is presented. Hybrid deployment of these network topologies is also suggested to provide resilience and redundancy in the network during network failure or when security of the network is circumvented. This recommendation can also be deployed in other areas of the grid where wireless technologies are used. DR communication from consumer premises is used to show the performance of an infrastructure mode smart metering network.

Narrowband PLC channel modelling for smart grid applications

This paper presents analysis of the channel characteristics of a Medium Voltage (MV) Electrical Distribution Networks (EDN) based on predefined reference scenarios provided by the Power Utilities. Simulation results which show the influences of various parameters such as the cable (type, length, and installation), number of end users, number of inter-connections, and component outages or interruptions on the transfer function of the network, especially in Distribution Line Carrier (DLC) frequency range, are discussed.

Multiple metrics-OLSR in NAN for Advanced Metering Infrastructures

Routing in Neighbourhood Area Network (NAN) for Smart Grids Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) raises the need for Quality of Service (QoS)-Aware routing. This is due to the expanded list of applications that will result in the transmission of different types of traffic between NAN devices (i.e smart meters). In wireless mesh network (WMN) routing, a combination of multiple link metrics, though complex, has been identified as a possible solution for QoS routing. These complexities (i.e Np complete problem) can be resolved through the use of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) algorithm and pruning techniques. With the assumption that smart meters transmit IP packets of different sizes at different interval to represent AMI traffic, a case study of the performance of three Optimised Link State Routing (OLSR) link metrics is carried out on a grid topology NAN based WMN in ns-2 network simulator. The best two performing metric were used to show the possibility of combining multiple metrics with OLSR through the AHP algorithm to fulfill the QoS routing requirements of targeted AMI application traffic in NANs.

Performance analysis of variable Smart Grid traffic over ad hoc Wireless Mesh Networks

Recent advances in ad hoc Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) has posited it as a strong candidate in Smart Grids Neighbourhood Area Network (NAN) for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). However, its abysmal capacity and poor multi-hoping performance in harsh dynamic environment will require an improvement to its protocol stacks in order for it to effectively support the variable requirements of application traffic in Smart Grid. This paper presents a classification of Smart Grid traffics and examines the performance of HWMP (which is the default routing protocol of the IEEE 802.11s standard) with the Optimised Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol in a NAN based ad hoc WMN. Results from simulations in ns-3 show that HWMP does not outperform OLSR. This indicates that cross layer modifications can be developed in OLSR protocol to address the routing challenges in a NAN based ad hoc WMN.