ICT infrastructure for smart distribution networks

Information and communication technologies (ICT) play a critical role within SmartGrids. However the current weak ICT infrastructure retards the implementation of SmartGrid functions. Smart meters with real-time communication capability are beneficial in many ways for the SmartGrid future, although there is limited agreement on the role of smart meters in system operation. Smart meters and PLC based ICT infrastructure is modeled in OPNET. The model is integrated with a robust state estimator and an OPF tool to set up a platform for analysing the feasibility and performance of the SmartGrid ICT infrastructure. The proposed method can be used to design and evaluate ICT infrastructure for smart distribution network operation.