Design Article
Modern power line communication for the smart grid
Ivan Gatchev, product marketing staff engineer, STMicroelectronics
3/5/2012 11:24 AM EST
Page 2
The emerging smart grid is essentially an intelligent and digital electricity network and is being used to define the next generation of distribution networks for electricity. Using their home networks, consumers will be able to communicate with the smart grid, through their electricity meters, offering smarter power management for utility companies and consumers alike.
Within the smart grid, there are three major market sections – grid infrastructure (i.e., concentrators), utility meters, and home/building management – each with varying application requirements.
Micro-inverters used in harvesting energy from solar and other alternative energy sources use power line modems to communicate to the smart grid. Below is a block diagram of an up-to-date solar harvesting system.
New standards were developed to meet the market requirements, like:
• S-FSK modulation up to 2.4 Kbit/s bit rate, IEC 61334-5-1 protocol
• The Meters & More specification. B- FSK and multi-mode n-PSK modulations
• Very robust OFDM modulation PRIME protocol. PRIME (PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution) is a Physical and Mac layer standard definition based on up-to-date technologies, in order to guarantee that future market requirements are met and that utilities’ investments are future proof. PRIME is open, looking for different vendors’ equipment interoperability, as a way to push for the growth of a new market so that, at the end of the day, all players (utilities, industry, customers, etc) will benefit from this approach. PRIME is based on OFDM multiplexing in CENELEC-A band.
Smart grids are intelligent networks for the distribution of energy. Home automation, smart metering and renewable sources are among the key building blocks for smart grids that we are addressing. Smart meters provide detailed information and real-time data to enable consumers to manage the power consumption in their homes, encouraging them to run washing machines in low usage times, for instance. Smart grids are the emerging intelligent networks for the distribution of energy.
Home automation, smart metering and renewable sources are among the key building blocks for the smart Grids.
Next: Page 3
The emerging smart grid is essentially an intelligent and digital electricity network and is being used to define the next generation of distribution networks for electricity. Using their home networks, consumers will be able to communicate with the smart grid, through their electricity meters, offering smarter power management for utility companies and consumers alike.
Within the smart grid, there are three major market sections – grid infrastructure (i.e., concentrators), utility meters, and home/building management – each with varying application requirements.
Micro-inverters used in harvesting energy from solar and other alternative energy sources use power line modems to communicate to the smart grid. Below is a block diagram of an up-to-date solar harvesting system.
New standards were developed to meet the market requirements, like:
• S-FSK modulation up to 2.4 Kbit/s bit rate, IEC 61334-5-1 protocol
• The Meters & More specification. B- FSK and multi-mode n-PSK modulations
• Very robust OFDM modulation PRIME protocol. PRIME (PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution) is a Physical and Mac layer standard definition based on up-to-date technologies, in order to guarantee that future market requirements are met and that utilities’ investments are future proof. PRIME is open, looking for different vendors’ equipment interoperability, as a way to push for the growth of a new market so that, at the end of the day, all players (utilities, industry, customers, etc) will benefit from this approach. PRIME is based on OFDM multiplexing in CENELEC-A band.
Smart grids are intelligent networks for the distribution of energy. Home automation, smart metering and renewable sources are among the key building blocks for smart grids that we are addressing. Smart meters provide detailed information and real-time data to enable consumers to manage the power consumption in their homes, encouraging them to run washing machines in low usage times, for instance. Smart grids are the emerging intelligent networks for the distribution of energy.
Home automation, smart metering and renewable sources are among the key building blocks for the smart Grids.
Next: Page 3
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SimulinkJocky
3/7/2012 10:38 AM EST
Please don't let this morph back into another broadband over power lines (BPL) mess. Even 500 Khz is getting a bit high for a network of wires that were designed for 60Hz power distribution. The leakage of unintended noise from BPL systems along with the intrusion of signals from real radio transmitters made that other service bad.
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Dr D
3/7/2012 1:44 PM EST
Ditto on the previous comment. There is too much broadband noise in the HF spectrum already. What will this generate when connected to a infinitely large antenna system like the grid.
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anne-francoise.pele
7/30/2012 5:45 PM EDT
Click on the link below to check out the collection of Design Articles, Case Studies, Product How-To articles,... related to Power Line Communication that have been published on Smart Energy Designline.
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http://www.eetimes.com/design/smart-energy-design/4390953/Power-Line-Communication---Design-archive?Ecosystem=smart-energy-design
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sanjaac
10/12/2012 6:29 AM EDT
IFindNickNamesAnnoying and Dr D: You are wrong. NB-PLC is well on its way, and selling a lot. And performing like a breeze. Ask in Spain, if you want.
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