Digital PLC technology to support the MV and HV grid remote control: practical experience and standardisation open issues

MV and LV distribution networks are evolving from purely passive towards active grids with generation units directly connected. This comes from the technical evolution of small generation units but, mainly, is driven by electric energy market liberalisation that is bringing new actors to share and contribute to the same infrastructure. The above scenario asks for a new control system, that must be sound from the technical viewpoint to ensure the power quality, and a monitoring and metering system at the interfaces between the different actors. The control system will be based on distributed objects, with a high degree of autonomy, but needs a coordination level. Power line technology is the natural candidate to implement the communication infrastructure to support the control system. Main characteristics of the communication system are summarised along with up to date technical solutions and main open issues.