Page 118 - From Smart Grid to Internet of Energy

102 From smart grid to internet of energy

TABLE 3.1 Comparison of popular communication technologies for HAN
applications
Operating Data Distance
Technology Standard frequency rate (m) Security Cost
Ethernet IEEE 125 MHz Up to 100 High High
802.3x 10
Gbps
PLC IEEE 2–100 MHz Up to 200 High Medium
1901 200
Mbps
Bluetooth IEEE 2.4 GHz Up to 100 High Low
802.15.1 721
Kbps
Wi-Fi IEEE 2.4 GHz Up to 100 High Low
802.11x 600
Mbps
ZigBee IEEE 2.4 GHz Up to 100–1600 High Low
802.15.4 250
Kbps

to a SM by using wired connections or over the HANs, which share this infor-
mation to the utility. Real Time Pricing (RTP) from the utility is also provided
to the ESI through the AMI infrastructure and the RTP information is shared
with the customers. The customers have the option to employ a monitoring
panel connected to the ESI or any web-based consumer energy management
system (EMS) (be located in the SM, an individual GW, or a third party),
and answer to pricing signals from the utility. There are some control-enabled
devices at the customer site. Through the ESI and smart devices, the utilities
will be able to implement their load control programs by accessing these
devices.
Superiorities of the use of HAN scheme can be summarized as follows. The
HAN allows involvement of end user in SG infrastructure in order to facilitate
the utilities to manage peak loads. It also provides information to utilities about
the energy consumption of each and every end user and ensures centralized
access for utility centers to control all the devices at the end user premises.
The key objective of HAN is to ensure that SG is meeting the reliable and seam-
less energy requirements and protect grid from any unwanted blackout by con-
trolling or shifting the loads. Consumer has option to minimize its electricity bill
by shifting loads from peak timing to normal load timings. On the other hand,
main challenges of the HAN scheme can be sorted out as follows. The biggest
challenging task is to integrate different technologies into the HAN.