Generic Communication Infrastructure to Facilitate Regional Electric Power Distribution System Management

The demand of connecting an increasing number of embedded generators to the existing distribution networks becomes a big challenge to distribution network operators (DNOs). The regional management system demands ubiquitous deployment of autonomous controllers and requires reliable and flexible communication among them for distributed control. With the recognition of inadequacy of current communication system for power network monitoring and control, that calls for a more appropriate communication infrastructure and advanced IT systems. This paper addressed this issue and attempted to propose a viable generic communication solution to facilitate regional network management. The system requirements in terms of communication are clearly identified and some key associated communication technologies, standards and protocols are discussed.