International telecommunication union

10.2 Recommendations for Future Work

• 
  Develop generic network architecture models for smart grid networks, including networks for smart meters, home network for home energy management, and networks for power grids.
  

1. 
   procedures for activation, deactivation of meters in the network,
   
2. 
   procedures for fault isolation and discovery,
   
3. 
   procedures for meter firmware updates, and
   
4. 
   procedures for meter reading data aggregation, de-aggregation operations within network nodes.
   

1. 
   procedures for activation, deactivation of meters in the network,
   
2. 
   procedures for admittance and departure of devices into the home energy network, with special attention to security aspects, such as authentication, authorization of devices with respect to identity and capability,
   
3. 
   functional specifications of key devices in the home network, home energy management station, energy service interface, and gateways,
   
4. 
   procedures enabling multiple communication protocols to operate the home energy network.
   

1. 
   procedures for fault isolation and discovery,
   
2. 
   procedures for firmware updates.
   

• 
  Develop system integration specification of smart grid applications enabling end-to-end communications between applications at the utility’s business office and smart grid devices including
  

1. 
   Procedures for system start up, such as connecting devices to application server at the business office, addressing and end devices (or systems),
   
2. 
   Message flows of the system.
   

• 
  Many smart grid applications fit the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication model. There are moves by many SDOs working on M2M standards to jointly expand their effort into smart grid area. ITU-T should participate in this activity.
  
• 
  Coordination is recommended to be taken with other SDOs such as IEC, IEEE, and other regional organizations such as the CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Smart Grid Coordination Group (SGCG) to avoid duplication of efforts, and improve interoperability.
  

This appendix presents how the ownership issues affect network architecture. A Smart Grid network could be owned and operated by Telecommunication Companies, or by Utility Companies. Since a Smart Grid network consists of several major segments, WAN, NAN, and HAN, each segment could be independently owned and run by different companies (with the exception of HAN which belongs to customers), therefore there are combinations of owners and operators. The issue is further complicated by whether smart grid home area network exists, as it affect how home energy devices are accessed and managed. These various combinations are shown in Table B-1 in six scenarios and discussed in details in sections below.

Utility Company will manage both Wide Area Network and Neighborhood Area Network. Generally, WAN is composed of dedicated links, and NAN is composed of wireless networks. Note that in this scenario, Customer Premises Network or Home Network does not exist, and therefore the utility has no access to appliances in the home. A Gateway Device is used to represent the HAN and to terminate or originate exchanges with remote end systems on the WAN.

Figure B-1: Scenario 1 - WAN(Utility) + NAN(Utility) without HAN

Telecommunications Company manages Wide Area Network, and Neighborhood Area Network is managed by Utility Company or Power Company. Generally, WAN and NAN is composed of the wireless networks. Note that in this scenario, Customer Premises Network or Home Network does not exist, and therefore the utility has no access to appliances in the home. A Gateway Device is used to represent the HAN and to terminate or originate exchanges with remote end systems on the WAN.

Figure B-2: Scenario 2 - WAN(Telecom) + NAN(Utility) without HAN

Wide Area Network is managed by Telecommunications Company; it includes Transport Network and Access Network. WAN is composed of the wireless / wired network. Note that in this scenario, Customer Premises Network or Home Network does not exist, and therefore the utility has no access to appliances in the home. A Gateway Device is used to represent the HAN and to terminate or originate exchanges with remote end systems on the WAN.

Figure B-3: Scenario 3 - 7 WAN(Telecom) without HAN

Utility Company will manage both Wide Area Network and Neighborhood Area Network. Through the Gateway (GW), the utility can directly access appliances (e.g., washing machine, air conditioner) within the HAN, or indirectly via an energy management station in the customer premises.

Figure B-4: Scenario 4 - WAN(Utility) + NAN(Utility) with HAN

Telecommunications Company manages Wide Area Network, while the Neighborhood Area Network will be managed by Utility Company. The utility can manage the home appliance through the path WAN <-> NAN <-> Gateway, and collect information through the same path.

Figure B-5: Scenario 5 - WAN(Telecom) + NAN(Utility) with HAN

Wide Area Network is managed by Telecommunications Company. Wide Area Network consists of Transport Network and Access Network. A Home Area Network exists and connects to the WAN via a Gateway. The Utility can access appliances in the home through WAN and Gateway.

Figure B-6: Scenario 6 - WAN(Telecom) with HAN