Communication network requirements for the Smart Grid and a path for an ip based protocol for customer driven microgrids

This paper looks at the significance of bi-directional communication in the Smart Grid and the customer driven microgrid, a basic building block of the smart grid. It presents a classification model of communication requirements from the top down and bottom up perspective. Ultimately this paper presents future areas of work for microgrid operation that can be facilitated by a protocol specifically developed for energy systems and leverage upon IP, the network layer protocol that will provide the broad level of interoperability in the Smart Grid.