Recent advances in communication technologies for smart grid application: A review

Nowadays, the smart grid is the latest trend for the future power system development and revolution. Many countries, including Thailand, have intensively studied and invested for an early technological breakthrough. Therefore, a review of the recent advances in communication technologies for smart grid application, especially the information flow between a data concentrator unit (DCU) and the smart meters, is of interest. This paper intensively reviews the wire and wireless communication technologies applicable for smart grid application, including PRIME-PLC, G3-PLC, BPL, and ZigBee standards. Some latest information about the deployment of such technologies in many countries is also given. Hence, this paper could pave a good background for the smart grid developer and utility companies in decision making.