Towards a “Power-Net”: Impact of smart grids development for ICT networks during critical events

This paper evaluates equivalences between smart grids and the Internet, particularly within the context of Internet´s resistance to extreme events. This evaluation is used to introduce the concept of the Power-Net as an advanced smart grid that incorporates Internet features that make ICT networks resistant to critical events. These features are discussed and technological options that can extend these Internet features into the power grid in order to create a Power-Net are also presented. Since power supply is identified as a significant weakness of ICT systems during disasters, this study also explains how the PowerNet can, in turn, mitigate these weaknesses.