Smart grid architecture for rural distribution networks: application to a Spanish pilot network

This paper presents a novel architecture for rural distribution grids. This architecture is designed to modernize traditional rural networks into new Smart Grid ones. The architecture tackles innovation actions on both the power plane and the management plane of the system. In the power plane, the architecture focuses on exploiting the synergies between telecommunications and innovative technologies based on power electronics managing low scale electrical storage. In the management plane, a decentralized management system is proposed based on the addition of two new agents assisting the typical Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system of distribution system operators. Altogether, the proposed architecture enables operators to use more effectively—in an automated and decentralized way—weak rural distribution systems, increasing the capability to integrate new distributed energy resources. This architecture is being implemented in a real Pilot Network located in Spain, in the frame of the European Smart Rural Grid project. The paper also includes a study case showing one of the potentialities of one of the principal technologies developed in the project and underpinning the realization of the new architecture: the so-called Intelligent Distribution Power Router.Postprint (published version

A survey on cyber security for smart grid communications

A smart grid is a new form of electricity network with high fidelity power-flow control, self-healing, and energy reliability and energy security using digital communications and control technology. To upgrade an existing power grid into a smart grid, it requires significant dependence on intelligent and secure communication infrastructures. It requires security frameworks for distributed communications, pervasive computing and sensing technologies in smart grid. However, as many of the communication technologies currently recommended to use by a smart grid is vulnerable in cyber security, it could lead to unreliable system operations, causing unnecessary expenditure, even consequential disaster to both utilities and consumers. In this paper, we summarize the cyber security requirements and the possible vulnerabilities in smart grid communications and survey the current solutions on cyber security for smart grid communications. © 2012 IEEE

Internet of Things-aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Traditional power grids are being transformed into Smart Grids (SGs) to address the issues in existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of Internet of Things (IoT). IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy by incorporating IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications and prototypes of IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges and future research directions for IoT-aided SG systems

Economic and Security Challenges Faced by Smart Grid

openIn this dissertation I have mentioned the components of the smart grid and how it uses computer technology to improve the communication, automation, and connectivity of the various components of the power network. The main aim of protecting the grid from any hacks and fraud are cyber security since we are dealing with two ways communication flow of electricity and information technology. Advantages and disadvantages of smart grid implementation that affect the economy .Ultimately renewable resources are used for energy compensation and the real time monitoring is used for accurate and reliable consumption since the demand is increasing globally, and improves consumption management

Mapping and Testing Internet of Things Platforms for the Intelligent Maintenance of the Electrical Distribution Network

New technologies are crucial in the changing energy sector and the electricity network. The climate change and increasing dependence upon electricity are two main factors in this con-text. Consequently, there is a need to develop the reliability and quality of the electricity distribution system. The study was carried out in cooperation with Vaasan Sähköverkko. They wanted to explore and pilot possible alternatives to internet of things (IoT) technologies to be used in predictive maintenance of the electricity distribution network. The purpose of this study was to examine the features expected from good IoT platforms. Central to this study, was to demonstrate that IoT solutions could be built on these platforms in their operating environments connected to the distribution system. Internet of things platforms are a set of integrated software capabilities. The compared platforms in this study were M-Files, IoT-Ticket, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. When comparing the selected IoT platforms, data related to different features was collected by implementing four practical cases. The first case was monitoring air conditions at Vaasa primary substation using a Ruuvitag sensor. The second case was use CoreTec and CoreSense to import condition monitoring data from the power transformer at Purola primary substation. The third example was import measurement and status data from the DC system at Alskat primary substation to IoT platforms. In the final case, data was retrieved from MicroSCADA Historian to a comma separated value file and exported to IoT platforms using either the representational state transfer application programmable Interface (REST API) or a Python software development kit. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to install of IoT technology on significantly different platforms. M-Files was the IoT platform with largest amount of open questions still remaining. IoT-Ticket appeared to be the easiest option for installation and end use. If an organization were to choose Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform, they would need to find reliable partners to develop the platforms with end users. During this study, it became evident that IoT technology is relatively evolved and organizations should begin using to use it with a low threshold if suitable applications are found. For example, predictive maintenance can be considered as a particularly suitable option for the IoT platform further utilization by a distribution system operator

Web-based relay management with biometric authentication

This thesis proposes a web-based system for managing digital relay settings. These relays are deployed in the power system to protect sensitive and expensive equipment from physical damage during system faults and overload conditions. Providing this capability exposes these devices to the same cyber security threats that corporations have faced for many years.;This thesis investigates the risks and requirements for deploying the proposed system. A breakdown in the protection that these relays provide would cause power outages. The cost of outages can be significant. Therefore cyber security is critical in the system design. Cyber security requirements for the power industry identify access control as an important aspect for the protection of its infrastructure. If properly implemented, biometrics can be used to strengthen access control to computer systems.;The web-based relay management system uses fingerprint authentication along with a username and password to provide access control. Website users are given access to functionality based on user roles. Only high level users may attempt relay setting modification. The relay management system interacts with a database that stores the current relay settings, relay setting restrictions, and a queue of relay updates. A process is implemented to verify attempted setting changes against these setting restrictions. This provides an extra security layer if users attempt harmful changes to protection schemes. Valid setting changes are added to the queue and a separate relay update program communicates these changes to the relay. The database and relay update program protect the relays from direct modification. These features combined with biometric authentication provide a strong layered scheme for protecting relays, while supplying an easy to use interface for remotely using their capabilities

Emerging technologies and future trends in substation automation systems for the protection, monitoring and control of electrical substations

Tese de Mestrado Integrado. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores (Automação). Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201

City-Friendly Smart Network Technologies and Infrastructures: The Spanish Experience

Efficient, resilient, and sustainable electricity delivery is a key cornerstone in increasingly large and complex urban environments, where citizens expect to keep or rise their living standards. In this context, cost-effective and ubiquitous digital technologies are driving the transformation of existing electrical infrastructures into truly smart systems capable of better providing the services a low-carbon society is demanding. The goal of this paper is twofold: 1) to review the dramatically evolving landscape of power systems, from the old framework based on centralized generation and control, aimed at serving inelastic customers through alternating current (ac) transmission networks and one-way distribution feeders, to a new paradigm centered mainly around two main axes: renewable generation, both centralized and distributed, and active customers (prosumers), interacting with each other through hybrid ac/dc smart grids; 2) to illustrate, through featured success stories, how several smart grid concepts and technologies have been put into practice in Spain over the last few years to optimize the performance of urban electrical assets

Smart grid

Tese de mestrado integrado em Engenharia da Energia e do Ambiente, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2016The SG concept arises from the fact that there is an increase in global energy consumption. One of the factors delaying an energetic paradigm change worldwide is the electric grids. Even though there is no specific definition for the SG concept there are several characteristics that describe it. Those features represent several advantages relating to reliability and efficiency. The most important one is the two way flow of energy and information between utilities and consumers. The infrastructures in standard grids and the SG can classified the same way but the second one has several components contributing for monitoring and management improvement. The SG’s management system allows peak reduction, using several techniques underlining many advantages like controlling costs and emissions. Furthermore, it presents a new concept called demand response that allows consumers to play an important role in the electric systems. This factor brings benefits for utilities, consumers and the whole grid but it increases problems in security and that is why the SG relies in a good protection system. There are many schemes and components to create it. The MG can be considered has an electric grid in small scale which can connect to the whole grid. To implement a MG it is necessary economic and technical studies. For that, software like HOMER can be used. However, the economic study can be complex because there are factors that are difficult to evaluate beyond energy selling. On top of that, there are legislation and incentive programs that should be considered. Two case studies prove that MG can be profitable. In the first study, recurring to HOMER, and a scenario with energy selling only, it was obtained a 106% reduction on production cost and 32% in emissions. The installer would have an $8 000 000 profit in the MG’s lifetime. In the second case, it was considered economic services related to peak load reduction, reliability, emission reduction and power quality. The DNO had a profit of$41,386, the MG owner had $29,319 profit and the consumers had a$196,125 profit. We can conclude that the MG with SG concepts can be profitable in many cases