PLC communication in Smart Grid

At present, the vast majority of communication in smart grid is realized over the GSM/GPRS or Ethernet based protocols. Still, there is a possibility to use existing wires and transmit a low-rate data over power lines. No matter how much the cost to equip the grid with the new technology falls, the costs to service the instrumentation in the field are still not negligible. Moreover, the diversification of the communication channels could lead to system integration or standardization problems. This paper shows how the PLC communication can be used to improve robustness and efficiency when controlling the grid. It also points out a couple approaches to coupling circuits and impedance matching circuits based on previous experiences of the others. There are comments on the coupling transformers usage and their limitations. The paper also introduces a new concept of self-tune adaptive coupler with injection coil.