Smart grid is a relatively modern concept of ensuring proper grid discipline and efficient scheduling and dispatch of power. In some literatures, smart grid has even been defined as an infrastructure facilitating the integration of the electricity grid with energy resources, communications and automated control technology. The concept of smart grid propagated with the need to integrate intermittent sources of renewable energy generation and the electrical grid.
Smart grid concepts are adopted by multiple nations to address the transmission related problems and also electricity based distribution infrastructure. Smart grids aim to improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of the electrical grid. For the development of better smart grid infrastructures, a very strong and robust communication system needs to be established. Essentially, the smart grid communications systems market is likely to grow hand in hand with the growth of smart grid implementations globally. Communication systems form the key component of any smart grid infrastructure as the majority of smart grid functions occur on a real time basis.
The major drivers for the smart grid communication technology market include: reduction in the technical & commercial losses, real time monitoring of the systems and reduction in the operational errors whereas the major constraints of the market involve the cost and time associated with the installation of smart grid systems. Installation of the smart grid equipments incurs extra burden on the utilities and reduces the initial profit level. New technological advancements in the communication technologies and long term profits bring new opportunities to the smart grid system market.
It is extremely important for every electrical utility setting its eyes on a smart grid system to carefully analyze its communication requirements first. With increased number of advanced technologies being implemented and integrated within the smart grid, there will be an inevitable necessity to process and analyze large masses of data. The problem lies with both acquisition of these data and relaying them back to the devices after analysis, on a real time basis. An effective communication system infrastructure goes a long way in ensuring reliable, safe and cost effective service throughout the power grid. The market for the smart grid communication technologies can be segmented on the basis of the technology used in the process.
There are essentially two main modes of communication which can be used to establish connection with the electricity grid: wired and wireless communication mediums. Wireless communication systems generally have an edge over wired technologies owing to the high levels of flexibility they offer. Other advantages include the low infrastructure requirements for setting up such systems coupled with the ability to reach relatively remote areas inaccessible by wired medium.
However, wireless communication technologies come with the fair share of cons as well. Wireless signals are generally prone to attenuations and fluctuations during transmission which cause significant noise. Communication system requirements for wireless systems are generally much higher than for wired systems. This is because wireless systems generally require much more interfacing hardware as well as power storage devices such as batteries. Two major types of information infrastructure are required for implementing a smart grid. The first type acquires and transmits data from the sensors and electrical appliances to the smart meters. The second type will then further send this acquired data from the smart meters to the utility’s data centers, through either wired or wireless connections.
In the North American region, the US is the major market for the new and existing players to invest. Although the market for smart grid communication technology in the European region is matured, countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France are concentrating more on reducing their technical and commercial losses. In the Asia Pacific region, China and India are the major countries concentrating on the overall loss reduction in the power sector.
Some of the key market players in the smart grid communications system are: Sensus, Viola Systems, Tropos Networks Inc., ABB Ltd. and Trilliant Holdings Inc.
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