Communication with smart transformers in rural settings

Abstract

Smart-grid-enabled transformers have unique challenges in rural settings. One such challenge is that of effective and reliable communication of data. Communication infrastructure in rural areas is often elementary and transformers should accommodate this. Communication and sensor devices installed on these smart transformers should also be reliable and robust to minimize their required maintenance. In this paper, the development and application of a communication device for deployment on rural distribution smart transformers is presented. The communication device is robust, enables event-based as well as periodic data reporting from the transformer and monitors transformer health. The communication device implements Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3), Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for communication purposes.