Smart Grid – Progress in ICT Development

Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed. Evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

Target Audience

This report is important to a wide population of researches, technical and sales staff involved in the developing of the Smart Grid ICT and particular in SUN. It is recommended for both service providers and vendors that are working with related technologies. The report also helps to understand issues associated with relationship between “green” Smart Grid ICT and other technologies.

BRIEF

The objectives of this report were to show the role of ICT to support the Smart Grid (SG) infrastructure; and to introduce some trends in the ICT development. The report also updates previous Practel reports published in 2009-2011.

The report emphasizes the importance of the SG networks optimization based on the set of standards that are developed or are in the development by a large group of standards organizations and the industry groups. The up-to-date standardization activities are addressed in this report.

The report covers several wireless and wireline SG networking technologies developments, including market statistics and the industry. It also concentrates on the LTE and DASH7 technologies that are addressed from a position of their applicability to the SG networking.

The report reflects the complex picture of the SG ICT standards introduction; and emphasizes the necessity of the uniform work through a large number of involved global organizations as well as a variety of industry groups and forums. So far, the industry reaction on plurality of technologies, in many cases, resulted in introduction of network elements that are based on Software Defined Radio; such platforms may allow multi-standards operation.