Communication-oriented smart grid framework

Upgrading the existing electricity grids into smart grids relies heavily on the development of information and communication technology which supports a highly reliable real-time monitoring and control system as well as coordination of various electricity utilities and market participants. In this upgrading process, smart grid communication is the key to success, and a simple but complete, innovative but compatible high-level communication-oriented smart grid framework is needed. This paper proposes a simple and flexible three-entity framework, so that devices employing the existing technologies are supported and can interoperate with those employing new technologies.