Publication

Abstract : In a smart distribution power grid, cost efficient and reliable communication architecture plays a crucial role in achieving complete functionality. There are different sets of Quality of Services (QoS) requirements for different data packets transmitting inside the microgrid (a regionally limited smart distribution grid), making it challenging to derive optimal communication architecture. The objective of this research work is to determine the optimal communication technologies for each data packet based on its QoS requirement. In this paper, we have proposed an architecture for a smart distribution power grid with Cyber Physical System enabled microgrids, which accommodate almost all functional requirements of a smart distribution power grid. For easy transition towards optimal communication architecture, we have presented a six-tier communication topology, which is derived from the architecture for a smart distribution power grid. The optimization formulations for each packet structure presented in this paper minimize the overall cost and consider the QoS requirements for each packet. Based on the simulation results, we have made recommendations for optimal communication technologies for each packet and thereby developed a heterogeneous communication architecture for a microgrid.