Testing the Broadband Power Line communication for the Distribution grid management in a real operational environment

Distribution System Operators are working to improve and extend the level of control of their grid, as response to the new challenges of integrating distribution renewable sources and improving the quality of their service. In doing so, they need also to face up to the problem of reaching their transformer stations via a suitable communication technology, which can guarantee a balanced tradeoff between investments - in terms of cost and time for installation - and benefits - in term of performances (bandwidth, transfer time, reliability and availability). The paper describes real-life experiments carried out by A2A Reti Elettriche SpA - an Italian Distribution System Operator - with the Medium Voltage Broadband Power Line communication (MV-BPL), which is considered one of the most interesting communication technology for Smart Grid applications. Some preliminary results are reported. The paper also describes the hybrid communication - MV-BPL and high rate wireless - defined by the 7th Framework Program European Project INTEGRIS as a way to improve the performance of the MV-BPL.