Presentations from the UK SPF Cluster 2: Public Sector Spectrum Release (PSSR) - Utilities and 5G

1. Spectrum Needs for Utilities to
enable Smart Grid Developments
Dr Peter D. Couch
CEO of JRC

2. Utility Communications
The Changing Context
Distribution Automation
Need to transition from a static distribution network operation to a system that
supports dynamic operation of the power system for higher asset utilisation and a
more reliable service. As technologies evolve, intelligence will be pushed further
into the field requiring devices to have the ability to make decisions and
communicate with other devices;
Distributed Energy Resources
The transition to a bi-directional system to enable the utilisation of distributed
energy resources closer to the loads will provide a new set of solutions to ensuring
network reliability and addressing cost of supply whilst posing the challenge of
greater complexity in terms of network control and protection;
Response Efficiency
The service need is changing from a reaction-oriented system to an anticipatory
system where the utility’s automation technologies and workforce have greater
awareness of network performance trends and issues ahead of events.
Customer Communications
Enabling in-premise energy management and interconnecting customer assets to
the grid, e.g. solar, backup generation, Electric Vehicles, etc.

3. Utility Communications
The Critical Components
Teleprotection
Protection relays communicate with each other between substations to monitor and
respond to faults. When a fault is detected a control signal is sent to trip a circuit
breaker. Teleprotection is a very critical application requiring very short
communication delays (about 10ms).
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
Communications between the remote terminal units (RTUs) or Intelligent Electronic
Devices (IEDs) deployed in a substation with the Master Control / Data & Control
Centre.
Utility Voice
Enables operational voice traffic to field offices and mobile work force.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Deployment of CCTV at substations with the capacity for local storage as
well as streamed to the Control Centre as necessary, e.g. during a security
incident. The video will be encoded for security purposes
Management
Enables Field Force to access centrally held data and information and allows
monitoring / control of operational telecoms capability
Smart Grid requires expansion of comms capability to MV & LV layers

4. Establishing the requirements
EUTC – Generic Requirements per DNO
Service Description
Priority or
criticality
Type of
service coverage
predicted
volume in
2020
predicted
volume in
2030
data rate
required
data volume latency
availability
PROTECTION
ClassA: Unit Protection (over
100kV)
Connection between protection devices at
either end of a transmission line
high pt-pt main routes 10 15 continuous 5ms 0.9999
ClassB: Distance protection
(over 100kV)
fast overcurrent protection on long
transmission lines
high area specified sites 25 50 1 kbyte 5ms 0.9999
ClassC: Blocking signals (over
100kV)
Broadcast signal from a protection relay
detecting a fault to delay the operation of
adjacent protection relays
high pt-pt main routes 30 60 continuous 5ms 0.9999
ClassD: protection for circuits
of less than 100kV
Protection equipment for medium voltage
equipment
high pt-pt main routes 100 200 continuous 10ms 0.9999
ClassE: remote access to
protection relays
remote configuration of protection relays
from control centre
medium pt-pt specified sites 50 100 1 Mbyte 1s 0.9
SCADA
ClassA: Grid level substations
(more than 100kV)
Monitoring and control of devices at
transmission substations
high pt-pt main routes 20 20 64 kbits/s 1 kbyte 100ms 0.9999
ClassB: Primary Distribution
level substations
(transforming from above
100kV to below 100kV)
Monitoring and control of devices at primary
distribution substations
high pt-pt all routes 500 500 64 kbits/s 100ms 0.9999
ClassC: Distribution
substations below 100kV
Monitoring and control of devices at
secondary distribution substations
high pt-multipt
100% of utility
service area
20000 20000 64 kbits/s 1s 0.9999
ClassD: distribution
automation
Monitoring and control of devices at
substations with the possibility of
autonomous actions
low mesh 5000 10000 8 kbits/s 1s 99%
ClassE: major generation sites
(more than 100MW)
Monitoring and control for remote
connection and disconnection of generation
plant
high pt-pt specified sites 12 13 64 kbits/s 100ms 0.9999
ClassF: medium size
generation sites (100MW
down to 1 MW)
Monitoring and control for remote
connection and disconnection of generation
plant
medium pt-pt 30 35 64 kbits/s 1s 0.9999
ClassG: small size generation
sites (less than 1MW)
Monitoring and control for remote
connection and disconnection of generation
plant
low pt-pt 150 200 8 kbits/s 10s 99%
ClassH: Smart Grid Hub Allows monitoring and control of local
distribution points in response to changes in
local supply and demand
medium pt-pt
100% of utility
service area
5000 6000 64 kbits/s 1s 99.9%
ClassI: Smart Grid
concentrator
Allows collection of local demand and supply
data
low mesh 50000 60000 10 kbits/s 10s 99%
ClassJ: data recorders allows data from various event recorders
(temperature, wind speed, etc ) to be
downloaded
low pt-multipt specified sites 2500 3000 64 kbits/s 1 Mbyte 1 min 99%
64 kbits/s

5. The Netherlands - Alliander’s Approach
Spectrum in 450–470 MHz utilising CDMA to support Smart Grid
In addition the Water Networks are also supported

6. Spectrum
European Utility use of spectrum in 450-470 MHz

7. Spectrum
3GPP band plans for 450 – 470 MHz

8. Developments in Ireland
ComReg Condoc. 1767, proposed release of 410-415.5 & 420-425.5 MHz
Summary of approach
• Potential uses of the band identified as “smart grid,” “smart
Metering,” “PPDR, “ ”DMR/TETRA Enhanced Data Services”.
Dismissed all except “SMART GRID”
• Amount of spectrum consistent with that being utilised in 450
– 470 MHz range across Europe with traditional Duplex
arrangement.
• Seeking comment on block sizes to be released
• Maximum transmit power for Telemetry applications of 50W
EIRP.
• Seek views on allocation process, predisposed to auction
release but with only one credible use and no excess demand
an administrative approach would likely be most efficient.
• Also seeking input on licence term and spectrum fees.

9. Market Dynamic is Changing Rapidly
Forecasts Underestimate Demand / Supply Side Developments
“The EV revolution is going to hit the car market even harder and faster than
BNEF predicted a year ago. EVs are on track to accelerate to 54% of new car
sales by 2040. Tumbling battery prices mean that EVs will have lower lifetime
costs, and will be cheaper to buy, than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars

10. Joint Radio Company: Making the spectrum and technology work for your business www.JRC.co.uk
Questions?
peter.couch@jrc.co.uk,
0775 3832828