Bandwidth and Security Requirements for Smart Grid

Abstract

With the evolution of smart grid and applications, power distribution networks need scalable, flexible, distributed and secure end-to-end communication. This work aims to highlight the necessary bandwidth that is needed to effectively monitor and communicate with all the secondary substations of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). In order to determine the bandwidth requirements, the current and future applications in each secondary substation should be known. Two levels of security are employed -IPsec and TLSto give flexibility and resilience. Different test scenarios and several setups were employed on a fully secured IP based Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) through an IEC 62870-05-104 protocol, aiming to understand the bandwidth cost of different security techniques. The analysis depicts an average of 2-3 fold increase in bandwidth if both IPsec and TLS are used be to secure the connected asset.

Communication Technologies for Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey

“…With the number of connected devices increasing, the possibility for cyber attacks against the power grid will increase. Cyber security is essential as every aspect of the SG must be secure [ 112 , 113 ]. Security measures must cover issues involving communication and automation that affects operation of the power system and the utilities managing them.…”

Challenges and Promises of 5G for Smart Grid Teleprotection Applications

“…Considering the main wireless communication requirements for the smart grid to enable any of their critical applications such as teleprotection, several implementation and integration challenges exist. Most wireless technologies used in smart grid applications such as remote monitoring for secondary substation face the following challenges and limitations due to increasing grid complexity [15] - [16]:…”

Bandwidth Efficient Secure Authentication and Encryption Techniques on IEC-60870-5-104 for Remote Outstations

“…Various security techniques are used in power utilities for authentication, management, encryption and certificate updates purposes [14]. For example, IPsec authentication and encapsulation standards are widely used to establish secure VPN connections [1]. IPsec protocol is considered in the bandwidth calculations as a level of security when using a Wide Area Network (WAN).…”

“…However, this may not be practical for utility networks with assets in rural or difficult to reach areas, where high frequency spectrum would struggle to permeate. Therefore, a sought-after low-frequency spectrum is required, which in turn grow the demand for the limited spectrum [1]. This necessitates the need to be conservative in bandwidth.…”