Broadband PLC for Clustered Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Architecture

Augustine Ikpehai, Bamidele Adebisi and Khaled M. Rabie
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Augustine Ikpehai: School of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Bamidele Adebisi: School of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Khaled M. Rabie: School of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) subsystems monitor and control energy distribution through exchange of information between smart meters and utility networks. A key challenge is how to select a cost-effective communication system without compromising the performance of the applications. Current communication technologies were developed for conventional data networks with different requirements. It is therefore necessary to investigate how much of existing communication technologies can be retrofitted into the new energy infrastructure to cost-effectively deliver acceptable level of service. This paper investigates broadband power line communications (BPLC) as a backhaul solution in AMI. By applying the disparate traffic characteristics of selected AMI applications, the network performance is evaluated. This study also examines the communication network response to changes in application configurations in terms of packet sizes. In each case, the network is stress-tested and performance is assessed against acceptable thresholds documented in the literature. Results show that, like every other communication technology, BPLC has certain limitations; however, with some modifications in the network topology, it indeed can fulfill most AMI traffic requirements for flexible and time-bounded applications. These opportunities, if tapped, can significantly improve fiscal and operational efficiencies in AMI services. Simulation results also reveal that BPLC as a backhaul can support flat and clustered AMI structures with cluster size ranging from 1 to 150 smart meters.

Keywords: advanced metering infrastructure; power line communications (PLC); broadband PLC; demand response; narrowband PLC; smart grid; smart metering (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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