Sustainable and robust networking for smart electricity distribution
Project dates: 01. Feb 2014 - 31. Jan 2017
Objective
SUNSEED proposes an evolutionary approach to utilisation of already present communication networks from both energy and telecom operators. These can be suitably connected to form a converged communication infrastructure for future smart energy grids offering open services. Life cycle of such communication network solutions consists of six steps: overlap, interconnect, interoperate, manage, plan and open. Joint communication networking operations steps start with analysis of regional overlap of energy and telecommunications operator infrastructures. Geographical overlap of energy and communications infrastructures identifies vital DSO energy and support grid locations (e.g. distributed energy generators, transformer substations, cabling, ducts) that are covered by both energy and telecom communication networks. Coverage can be realised with known wireline (e.g. copper, fiber)or wireless and mobile (e.g. WiFi, 4G) technologies. Interconnection assures end-2-end secure communication on the physical layer between energy and telecom, whereas interoperation provides network visibility and reach of smart grid nodes from both operator (utility) sides. Monitoring, control and management gathers measurement data from wide area of sensors and smart meters and assures stable distributed energy grid operation by using novel intelligent real time analytical knowledge discovery methods. For full utilisation of future network planning, we will integrate various public databases. Applications build on open standards (W3C) with exposed application programming interfaces (API) to 3rd parties enable creation of new businesses related to energy and communication sectors (e.g. virtual power plant operators, energy services providers for optimizing home energy use) or enable public wireless access points (e.g. WiFi nodes at distributed energy generator locations). SUNSEED life cycle steps promise much lower investments and total cost of ownership for future smart energy grids with dense distributed energy generation and prosumer involvement.