Why Mesh Networks and Open Standards are Critical for Smarter Grids

It’s just a matter of time before all power grids, at least in the U.S., are enhanced to become “smart,” and mesh networks and open standards are going to be critical to this evolution.

Benefits of Mesh Networks and Open Standards

Many utility executives equate a smart grid with smart meters.  While the latter is certainly a compelling benefit of the former, the former has much more to offer.  Smart grids have the potential to enhance reliability and resilience, but optimizing the benefits requires the correct communications infrastructure.

Generally, a “field area network” is necessary to facilitate connectivity across the grid and between customer meters and distribution networks.  While there are several options here, decentralized wireless mesh networks are often the best choice because:

• They help prevent communication and data traffic bottlenecks in the network due to their decentralized nature.
• They increase the efficiency and usefulness of distribution network sensors, making it possible to detect faults quickly and reroute power around areas experiencing an outage. This can benefit customer satisfaction as well as operational efficiency by pinpointing exactly where a repair needs to be made.
• They transmit over shorter distances, which would be expected to provide a boost to operational performance and efficiency.
• They can support voltage/VAR optimization (VVO) efforts to reduce energy wastage.
• They make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources into the grid.

Aside from mesh networks, open standards are also important.  The main reason is that standards-based communication protocols can greatly improve the ability to fight cyberattacks by ensuring compliance with the latest security standards and strengthening certificate-based security countermeasures.  Open standards can also endure a greater degree of modularity both within and across companies (i.e., plug and play).

Smart grids help utilities in many ways, including increasing business intelligence, reducing the number and duration of outages, and enhancing reliability and resiliency.  And utilizing mesh networks and open standards provides the most effective and efficient path for getting there.