Publications

Our nation's electric grid is transitioning from a centralized, producer-controlled network to a distributed, consumer-interactive model that is often referred to as the smart gird. A fully functioning smart grid will feature ubiquitous sensors throughout the transmission and distribution grid while continuing to balance electric supply (generation) with consumer demand (load). These sensors will need to collect and share data with consistent and well-defined latency, higher bandwidth, and two-way communications to transport information between grid utilities and consumers (or prosumers) through distributed or cloud-based computing necessary to make that data actionable. Secure communications are critical to achieve this smart grid vision and for the successful operation of the modern electric grid.

The next-generation grid communications architecture enables utilities to enhance operational capabilities, reduce outage risks, and generally strengthen grid resilience. The end-to-end architecture presented here provides a holistic framework to build a reliable, flexible, and salable communication network that meets the critical needs of the modern grid and positions utilities for handling challenges with integrating a range of energy resources and enabling a carbon-free energy future.

The goal of this document is to demonstrate the foundational dependencies of communication technology to support grid operations while highlighting the need for a systematic approach for communications technology across a wide variety of electric utility operational processes.

This white paper explores a series of attributes and characteristics of a network or communications system that together describe the overall performance of that network or system, called Quality-of-Service (QoS).

This paper emphasizes the need for low-latency communication systems to manage this complexity, ensuring resilient and reliable energy infrastructure. The discussion extends to the challenges of coordinating DERs and the performance requirements of future communication systems in grid services and sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion on the need for flexible, low-latency, secure communication networks in managing future grid operations.

This paper focuses on the interdependencies between electric power and communications systems, highlighting three opportunities—service prioritization, load shedding, and direct transfer trip protocols—to improve grid reliability and resilience via collaboration between the sectors and with regulators.

This white paper discusses the current state of secure communications interoperability in the electric power grid and delineates some of the challenges, including:

• Increasingly diverse entity ownership
• Incomplete standardization of tools and approaches at the edge
• Decentralized, market-driven evolution of grid architecture
• Varied and inconsistent regulation;
• Prioritization of communications investments in a cost-sensitive decision environment

This white paper characterizes the evolving nature of the grid edge, and the necessity of evolving communications network and architectures to maintain secure, reliable, and integrated grid edge devices with the rest of the grid system.

This white paper will briefly discuss several factors driving the continued electric grid evolution and the related communication requirements. These factors include (1) evolution of hardware, software, and communications used in the electric grid over the last several decades at unprecedented scales; (2) rapid adoption of variable, renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) and intelligent loads in the electric grid; and (3) an increased threat landscape due to more intense weather patterns and external actors.