Smart grid networks: A state of the art review

Smart grid is the next-generation electrical power system for providing reliable, efficient, secure, and cost-effective energy generation, distribution, and consumption. For a smart grid network, communications infrastructure/protocols and wireless networking will play an important role in achieving these objectives. The communication network designing will involves detailed analysis of the communication requirements, appropriate protocol architecture, choice of the most suitable technologies, and a resultant heterogeneous network management system. Smart grid deployment is mainly about defining the necessary standards for ICT solutions. To achieve significant advantages over traditional communication technologies, smart grid also involves its collaboration with wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Recently, WSNs can enhance various aspects of today´s electric power systems that include generation, delivery, and utilization. Since communication will be through wireless channel, the security of the network/data is also to be considered. The large scale and autonomous features of a smart grid render its cyber security quite vulnerable to adversaries. This proposed manuscript will present a broader view of the smart grid networks and the various diversified fields that are integrating to create this interdisciplinary research area. This involves the use of wireless sensor networks, communication and routing protocols, various possible architectures for smart grid networks, the potential intelligent attacks, and their countermeasures.