Application of Narrowband Power-Line Communication in Medium-Voltage Smart Distribution Grids

Narrowband power-line communication (PLC) over distribution networks is gaining the attention of researchers, as a communication medium in future power grids. This paper investigates the application of narrowband PLC in smart distribution grids, starting from a historical overview on the accomplished technological progress and continuing with a comparison of the advantages and drawbacks of PLC technology to other smart-grid communication solutions. The analysis shows that narrowband PLC applications are best suitable for medium-voltage (MV) networks, due to the vast and complex geographical extent. The channel and topological characteristics of MV distribution networks are examined for different operational states and configurations, since they are important for the optimal design and implementation of the PLC infrastructure. The analysis is also extended to an existing overhead MV distribution network with distributed-generation units. The obtained results and the proposed methodology are useful and comprehensive tools for the efficient implementation of PLC technology in future smart grids.

[1]  A. Ametani,et al.  A General Formulation of Impedance and Admittance of Cables , 1980, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems.

[2]  J. B. O'Neal,et al.  Analysis of Distribution Line Carrier Propagation Using the Bus Impedance Matrix , 1987, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[3]  Interactions between Two Dividers Used in Simultaneous Comparison Measurements , 1989, IEEE Power Engineering Review.

[4]  J.A.C. Bingham,et al.  Multicarrier modulation for data transmission: an idea whose time has come , 1990, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[5]  K. C. Shuey,et al.  A model for communication signal propagation on three phase power distribution lines , 1991 .

[6]  Clayton R. Paul,et al.  Analysis of Multiconductor Transmission Lines , 1994 .

[7]  D. Radford,et al.  Communication system requirements for implementation of a large scale demand side management and distribution automation , 1996 .

[8]  K. Dostert.  Power lines as high speed data transmission channels-modelling the physical limits , 1998, 1988 IEEE 5th International Symposium on Spread Spectrum Techniques and Applications - Proceedings. Spread Technology to Africa (Cat. No.98TH8333).

[9]  Erry Gunawan,et al.  A transmission line model for high-frequency power line communication channel , 2002, Proceedings. International Conference on Power System Technology.

[10]  Frank R. Kschischang,et al.  In-building power lines as high-speed communication channels: channel characterization and a test channel ensemble , 2003, Int. J. Commun. Syst..

[11]  P.A.A. Wouters,et al.  Effect of cable load impedance on coupling schemes for MV power line communication , 2003, 2003 IEEE Bologna Power Tech Conference Proceedings,.

[12]  Sebastien Grenard,et al.  Power Steering , 2003, Science.

[13]  A. Majumder,et al.  Power line communications , 2004, IEEE Potentials.

[14]  P.A.A.F. Wouters,et al.  Effect of cable load impedance on coupling schemes for MV power line communication , 2005 .

[15]  Frank C. Lambert,et al.  A survey on communication networks for electric system automation , 2006, Comput. Networks.

[16]  Mohsen Kavehrad,et al.  High-frequency characteristics of overhead multiconductor power lines for broadband communications , 2006, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.

[17]  Duan Jiandong,et al.  Research of Impedance Characteristics for Medium-Voltage Power Networks , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[18]  R. Benato,et al.  Application of PLC for the Control and the Protection of Future Distribution Networks , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications.

[19]  N. Theethayi,et al.  The Effects of Load Impedance, Line Length, and Branches in the BPLC—Transmission-Lines Analysis for Medium-Voltage Channel , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[20]  Debora Coll-Mayor,et al.  Future intelligent power grids: Analysis of the vision in the European Union and the United States , 2007 .

[21]  G.K. Papagiannis,et al.  A Multipath Channel Model for PLC Systems based on Nodal Method and Modal Analysis , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications.

[22]  R. Benato,et al.  Distribution Line Carrier: Analysis Procedure and Applications to DG , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[23]  G.K. Papagiannis,et al.  Medium Voltage Network PLC Modeling and Signal Propagation Analysis , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications.

[24]  I. Zamora,et al.  Optimal Frequency Value to Detect Low Current Faults Superposing Voltage Tones , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[25]  Zhang Baohui,et al.  Investigation of Transmission Properties on 10-kV Medium-Voltage Power Lines—Part II: Path Loss , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[26]  A. Cataliotti,et al.  Power Line Communication in Medium Voltage Systems: Characterization of MV Cables , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[27]  Jiri Misurec,et al.  The communication unit for remote data acquisition via the internet , 2008 .

[28]  P.G. Cottis,et al.  Transmission Characteristics of Overhead Medium-Voltage Power-Line Communication Channels , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[29]  Farrokh Albuyeh,et al.  Grid of the future , 2009, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[30]  Petr Mlynek,et al.  Modelling of PLC communication for supply networks , 2009, ICC 2009.

[31]  Martin Koutny,et al.  Half-overlapped filtered multitone modulation for powerline communication systems , 2009, ICONS 2009.

[32]  D.P. Labridis,et al.  High impedance fault detection using power line communication techniques , 2010, 45th International Universities Power Engineering Conference UPEC2010.

[33]  Nicholas Jenkins.  Distributed Generation , 2010 .

[34]  Theofilos A. Papadopoulos,et al.  A generalized model for the calculation of the impedances and admittances of overhead power lines above stratified earth , 2010 .

[35]  Bahram Honary,et al.  High-speed narrowband PLC in Smart Grid landscape — State-of-the-art , 2011, 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications.

[36]  Mehdi Korki,et al.  A channel model for power line communication in the smart grid , 2011, 2011 IEEE/PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition.

[37]  Anna Scaglione,et al.  For the Grid and Through the Grid: The Role of Power Line Communications in the Smart Grid , 2010, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[38]  S. S. Venkata,et al.  Lines of communication , 2011, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.