Distribution automation in medium and low voltage grids is one of the key requirements for power grid modernization. With automation, power utilities can improve electricity reliability, enhance operational efficiency and safety, and optimize grid performance. But the multiple, independent, and application-specific field area networks (FANs) that currently connect endpoints cannot support advanced distribution automation requirements. A single, purposebuilt, private LTE broadband network provides the secure convergence, capacity, resiliency, and quality of service (QoS) needed for the volume and variety of data that will enable intelligent distribution automation.
Challenges
As they evolve towards smart grid operations, power utilities are deploying intelligent
electronic devices (IEDs) and applications that monitor, control, and automate grid functions.
These applications collect, process, and communicate power line data, such as frequency,
voltage, and current levels. In some cases, they may also send command and control signals
that apply real-time adjustments to changes in load, generation and failure conditions without
operator intervention. In some cases, this communications traffic is delivered to devices at
adjacent sites and to central operations centers.
To support the communications requirements of different IEDs, many utilities have deployed
multiple FANs. For example, a power utility may have one FAN for advanced metering
infrastructure, another for line monitoring, and a third for protection. Typically, each FAN is
based on different networking technologies and requires its own specific maintenance and
support processes.
Although this segregated approach to FAN deployment provides oversight and control over
distribution functions, it has left utilities with multiple discrete communication networks
that must be managed and maintained separately. This creates higher operational and
maintenance costs. It hampers control, co-ordination, and communications between various
grid applications. It also becomes a barrier to application integration.
As more intelligent IEDs are deployed the existing FAN networks hamper efficient automation.
With more IEDs, the volume of grid information that must be collected and processed
increases significantly. The secure, highly reliable communications needed to support new
mission-critical applications, such as distributed generation (DG) integration, automatic fault
isolation and reclosing, and inverter control, cannot be provided by current FANs. In addition,
deployed FANs have many limitations:
- Some are becoming obsolete (analog phone lines, DS0 leased circuits)
- Some are based on wireless narrowband mesh technologies with limited bandwidth, which makes them adequate for reading meter data, but not for distribution automation
- Some wireless point-to-multipoint (P2MP) technology deployments require line of sight, which requires extensive RF link design and hinders a utility’s ability to move and add new IEDs
- Some use unlicensed spectrum which is vulnerable to interference
- Some offer no path redundancy (e.g., wireless P2MP) for applications that require highly reliable communications.
Solution: Private LTE mission-critical FAN
Private communications infrastructures built on IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS)
and Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless broadband provide the right technology combination
to create FANs that support intelligent distribution automation for today and tomorrow.
Many power utilities have already started to migrate their core communications networks to
IP/MPLS. With its virtual private network (VPN) capability, IP/MPLS enables utilities to build
versatile, service-aware networks for individual applications with service-level privacy, security,
and reliability. These virtual networks can be consolidated into a single converged architecture
that provides the high QoS needed for critical applications, such as supervisory control and
data acquisition (SCADA), land mobile radio (LMR)/private mobile radio (PMR) backhaul, and
video surveillance.
LTE wireless broadband is the ideal complement to the VPNs enabled by IP/MPLS. With LTE,
power utilities get an IP-based technology that offers the bandwidth, speed, reliability, low
latency and high throughput needed for peer-to-peer communications. LTE also offers a
Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) option for the extended range, low- and mediumrate
connectivity requirements of advanced machine-to-machine (M2M) and IoT distribution
automation applications, as well as Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) with very low latency for
applications with data processing at network edge.
LTE also provides the flexible channel size that allows it to cater to different bandwidth
requirements, ranging from hundreds of megabits per second to tens of kilobits per second.
Its advanced QoS capabilities enable utilities to provide specific QoS levels to different
applications. In addition, since LTE does not require line-of-sight, utilities can extend the reach
of their FANs economically with the necessary bandwidth and QoS for intelligent operations.
This makes it easier to add and move field devices as needed.
Nokia offers a private LTE wireless broadband solution that provides a unified and secure
network for more efficient and intelligent distribution automation. This solution leverages:
- Standards-based technology that uses dedicated licensed spectrum to minimize the risk of interference as industrial IoT deployments that use unlicensed spectrum grow
- Nokia’s broad product portfolio of IP/MPLS routers, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and microwave radios for the backhaul network
- A common communications management system for the radio access network (RAN), backhaul and core along with lifecycle device management that simplifies and reduces operating expenses
- Holistic security management that spans multi-vendor and multi-technology IT and OT environments, and provides a single pane of glass perspective.
Benefits
By moving to a converged FAN grounded in LTE and IP/MPLS, power utilities can create a
scalable, managed broadband network that provides secure, reliable connectivity for all grid
applications. They can extend the reach of their existing wide area networks (WANs) to the
edge of the FAN to address all distribution automation requirements. In addition, they can
simplify operations by leveraging their WAN service, security and management environment
to create a single, consistent operations environment for all communications.
LTE deployed in the FAN provides a communications foundation for a utility’s IoT strategy.
It can also be leveraged for the increasing communication demands of power utilities’ mobile
workforce. Personnel can use LTE-based FAN deployments to connect their tablets, laptops
and devices for remote desktop access, real-time video services and applications enabling
workforce automation. LTE group communications capabilities that include push to talk, push
to video and alert messaging can be utilized for communications among the mobile workforce
and with operations center. This allows utilities to make the most use of their converged FAN
investment.
SMC is now partnering with Nokia to bring you the technology you need to keep your business connected. Contact us today for a quote.
Article Source: Nokia