Custom Tools for Smart Grid Communications Network Planning

       
  The network diagram shown here was created by the  SG Networks Task Force within the Open SG Users Group as discussed in Smart Grid Communications Network Planning Services. The Smart Grid Planning Tool reflects the structure of a centralized Distribution Operations function as the heart of the Smart Grid Network. Communications with customer premises takes place primarily through an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network subset. Communicatinos with distributed field devices such as reclosers, switches and capacitor banks takes place through a Field Area Network (FAN). Communications with substations relies on the traditional Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network subset.

   
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  Custom Tool Development For Special Applications    
 
The modeling to date has not focused heavily on the independent system operator (ISO) or the Regional Transmission Organization, or bulk generation aspects of the Smart Grid.  For those organizations, additional use cases need to be identified, and added to the tool. Consequently, a custom version for such organizations is offered by Aurastar, since the principal of Aurastar developed the original planning tool.
   
       
  Spectrum Management    
       
  One area where substantial progress has been made, lies in efforts to build the case for dedicated spectrum allocations for the Smart Grid.  Today, these allocations do not exist, and the focus tends to be on unlicensed bands, with all of their negatives, or Auctioned Spectrum.

The following screen depicts the analysis of States, Counties and Census Tracts to be included in a spectrum study where the query depicted in Smart Grid Feasibility Studies can be scaled by local populations in order to generate anticipated traffic levels. These can then be translated into spectrum requirements to serve particular areas.