Smart Grid Framework Test Bed Using OPNET and Power Line Communication

The core concept of the Smart Grids is to manage electric power supply intelligently in accordance with the changes in both the power output and demands by integrating the IoT technology with a power grid. Here, the elements such as the grid itself, communication technology and some kinds of smart-devices are organically combined to save energy and enhance the quality of electricity, which in turn, let's the consumers to save their electricity bills. However, one of the biggest problems the researchers and the power companies are facing is that there are almost no expandable test beds available currently. Since so many kinds of elements are complexly involved in the smart grid systems, it is quite difficult to construct an analytical model for the complex system and conduct direct experiments on the actual system. For these reason, experiments are usually carried out on the simulations or the scale-downed test beds. Thus, In this paper, we have tested and evaluated the performance of the simulated model in the PLC-based data-link layer, in addition to existing Zigbee and WiMax-based models. Also, to compensate the transmission losses caused by the characteristics of the model, another simulation model using the RUDP in the transport layer was implemented and evaluated. As a result, it was possible to construct an expandable test bed which included both of above mentioned layers. And then, a scenario for the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), which is one of the smart grid's application areas, was set up and the performance of the test bed was evaluated by implementing an intelligent power management agent model. Moreover, a security model that detects the DDoS attacks was mounted on AMI. It was observed that the AMI had responded intelligently against the fluctuations in both power supply and demands. In this study, an expandable test bed has been designed and implemented along with construction and evaluation of the simulation models of respective elements involved. The results showed that the test bed including the AMI worked flexibly and we have validated our research results by publishing them for the domestic and foreign journals and conferences [1-10].