Smart Grid and Wireless Vehicular Networks for Seaport Logistics Operations

Numerous challenges represented by rising electricity consumption, the need for renewable generation, transmission, distribution and the increase in the use of electrical vehicles have elevated the profile of smart grids as the pinnacle of future electricity grids. At the same time, intelligent transport systems (ITS) are seen as indispensable to meet the need of making transport networks more secure, achieve reduction in traffic congestion, reduce the number of accidents on the roads and overall, reduce the impact of transport on the environment. The expansion of the smart grid and intelligent transport systems (ITS) represents a unique challenge in terms of the convergence of network platforms that can be used in the deployment of future services. Vehicle area networks (VANETs) dependent on Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) @ 5.9 GHz represent a major overhaul compared to Wi-Fi as VANETs have the potential to become a reliable wireless network platform to support both the requirements of the smart grid and ITS-based services. A seaport terminal scenario is proposed to discuss the characteristics of a convergence network platform where the metered readings of electric-powered materials handling equipment are transmitted using the same infrastructure capable of handling road safety messaging and non-safety applications.