Comparative Analysis of Decentralized Edge-Cloud Architecture for Monitoring Smart Grids

The objective of this study is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a decentralized edge-cloud architecture within the context of ICT services for intelligent power grids. Power grids are evolving from a traditional and centralized architecture to a distributed one, characterized by renewable and fluctuating energy resources and by a bidirectional exchange of electricity and information between various components. In this new paradigm, the monitoring of distribution grids becomes crucial, necessitating for appropriate resilient ICT infrastructures. This paper aims to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of a configuration where edge devices are used to perform phasor data concentration, comparing it with a purely cloud architecture.