Communication network for smart grid interoperability

The promotion of modernized electric network (smart grid) that integrating control, automation, communication, information, and power technologies to deliver sustainable energy has been widely recognized. A smart grid system consists of many different subsystems that might have over millions of consumers and devices, the demand of its reliability is extremely critical. An interoperable communication network is a key element for the success of the emerging smart grid to deliver efficiently quality and reliable energy. In this paper, some of the key communications challenges for realizing interoperable smart grid are presented. First, the background of smart grid system is introduced and the interoperability is addressed. Then, smart grid interoperable reference model (SGIRM) is described, and finally communication network for interoperability is presented. The aim of this paper is to offer a guideline of communication network requirements for interoperable smart grid.