Fiber-wireless sensor networks (Fi-WSNs) for smart grids

Apart from reducing their own energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, access networks may be also adopted in economic sectors other than communications in order to enhance the efficiency of energy use and achieve an increased overall CO2 reduction across different sectors. In this paper, we explore the opportunities of deploying fiber-wireless (FiWi) broadband access networks enhanced with fiber optic and wireless sensors to realize a smart grid communications infrastructure that effectively helps reduce the demand peakiness of today's power grids by means of centralized inter-home scheduling for electricity time-of-use pricing.