Page 381 - From Smart Grid to Internet of Energy

Roadmap from smart grid to internet of energy concept Chapter 9 345

classified into two categories as intelligent energy management and intelligent
fault management. The management nodes comprise the distributed grid intel-
ligence which is cyber-physical system of FREEDM.

9.3.2 Information sensing and processing
The main target of EI concept is providing more flexible energy systems where
EI concept is capable of better managing entire energy systems with combining
several important structures such as data sensing, metering, collecting, proces-
sing, transmission and services. In this context, advanced metering infrastruc-
ture (AMI) undertakes a great importance and is a promising technology for
enabling metering and monitoring processes among users and utilities [23–
25]. On the other hand, the most important component of the AMI systems
is the SMs that are modern electricity meters with two-way energy supporting
and advanced features when compared conventional electricity meters. These
modern meters are established at the user side for acquiring users’ electricity
information. A SM is responsible for collecting real-time energy consumption
rates accurately to transmit energy management center and analyzing these
measurement data to present information to users about various information
regarding measurements [5]. In the EI concept, it is possible to adapt cloud com-
puting technologies to handle big data.
The control interface of EI plane is software based which is organized in a
centralized logic. The data and energy controllers are designed in software
defined (SD) structure for controlling data and energy flow. The data flow control
is closely related with cloud computing in EI. The SD data controller allows to
configure the network devices and optimizing the data management infrastruc-
ture. The reliability and efficiency of energy transmission is also another impor-
tant aspect of SD controllers. The centralized energy controllers are required to
maintain reliability of EI during generation or consumption operations [26].

9.3.3 Network topologies for EI

The EI system can be taken into account as a massive network which associate
several equipment and users in an effective and secure way. Generally, the net-
work topologies of EI systems are classified in three main categories as SDN,
energy-efficient routing in CR and cellular network structures. The SDN archi-
tecture is considered as a central control network scheme. In this structure, relay-
ing and managing stages are individually fulfilled via user-defined features that
present several advantages for network management in terms of flexibility and
credibility. A typical SDN scheme is composed of a switch, terminal equipment,
a controller and an application layer [27]. In the SDN, it is also possible to set
apart managing functions from network switches that involve separation of rout-
ing and managing components, advanced control characteristics and improved
functions. Several wireless communication technologies can be implemented