| | JAN MARCH 202119 | | OCT - DEC 201919There are several challenges confronting utility communication system architects and engineers as they design and deploy networks to transport the increasing varieties, velocities, and volumes of data for grid management. One of the biggest challenges to connect distributed energy resource (DER) assets like solar panels or batteries to the distribution grid is the definition of standards that enable easy data integration­and allow for seamless communication and control of smart inverters and local controllers (e.g. microgrid controllers).A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished in the development of DER communication requirements to help ensure easy integration. Since 2009, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been involved in global activities to develop requirements and working with standards development organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to have these requirements codified.But communications gaps persist. Compliant but NOT InteroperableTo date, functional definitions have been captured in IEC standard 61850, and this has been mapped by other standards communities into standards such as IEEE 2030.5, Modbus, and DNP3. While products are being built to these standards, EPRI testing has found that products from different vendors, built to the same standard, are not able to communicate. That means there are either gaps in the interpretation of standards, or flexibility in implementation of the standards, that allows vendors to create compliant products that are not interoperable. This gap in communications interoperability results in systems that won't economically scale as the maintenance and customization required to support numerous interfaces makes support cost prohibitive. That has impacts to the utility and ultimately to customers.Circling Back: From the Field to Central ControlThe latency between events that occur at the system edge and decisions made at central control creates challenges that have given rise to the Open Field Message Bus (OpenFMB). This framework defines a logical bus in the field by which devices can communicate locally and make decisions autonomously. However, central control is not completely removed from the mix. Leaving a gap in communications between central control and distributed intelligence creates the potential for these systems to work at cross-purposes, delaying or preventing needed action for grid stability and reliability. In addition, a gap in communication between distributed intelligence and central control may restrict security monitoring and response. When decisions are made in response to events in the field, central control needs to be informed of these changes, and control goals that derive from the broader grid may need to By Dr. Gerald Gray, Program Manager, Information and Communication Technology; Electric Power Research Institute and Mark McGranaghan, VP, Integrated Grid, Electric Power Research InstituteDistributed Energy Resource Connectivity: Closing the Communications GapsMark McGranaghanCXO INSIGHTS
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