Channel modeling of NB-PLC for Smart Grid

Abstract

Future electricity power network must be restructured to improve its efficiency in order to provide all the consumers with flexible, cost effective, reliable and accessible power delivery. Recent research focuses on the conversion of typical power grid to Smart Grid (SG) where energy generation is decentralized. In this regard Power Line Communications (PLC) is a vital part of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) within the SG. This paper presents the analysis and modeling of different channels i.e., Low Voltage (LV), Medium Voltage (MV) and High Voltage (HV) transmission lines for Narrowband Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) using transmission line theory. Most of the literature regarding power line channel modeling deals with the statistical approaches which are relatively inaccurate as they provide a partial analysis of power line channel models which includes solely multipath effects. A comprehensive investigation has been carried out by evaluating and comparing the behaviors of LV, MV and HV channel models. A consequence for the validity of this research is to facilitate the International standardization process of various power line transfer functions especially in Asian countries where a lot more research is needed in the area of power line communications. Moreover characteristics of constant and frequency selective impedances of various channel models have been evaluated.