COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE SMART GRID
SMART GRID IMPLICATIONS FOR
CABLE OPERATORS
Matt Haile
Tantalus
4.6.2011
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Smart Grid Overview
How do we define the Smart Grid
– The application of technology to upgrade and improve the
electricity grid
– Previously SG was Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI /
smart meters), now first step is often Demand Management
or Distribution Automation.
– Smart Grid uses technology and business
models to improve control, efficiency,
and reliability of the electricity grid.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Why do we need a Smart Grid?
• A smarter grid applies technologies, tools and techniques
available now to bring knowledge to power
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–
–
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Ensuring its reliability to degrees never before possible.
Maintaining its affordability.
Reinforcing our global competitiveness.
Fully accommodating renewable and traditional energy
sources.
– Potentially reducing our carbon footprint.
– Introducing advancements and efficiencies yet to be
envisioned.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Why is this happening?
•
•
Hundreds of thousands of highvoltage transmission lines course
throughout the United States, only
668 additional miles of interstate
transmission have been built
since 2000.
As a result, system constraints
worsen at a time when outages
and power quality issues are
estimated to cost American
business more than $100 billion
on average each year.
US DOE
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Regulatory Actions
Act 129 - Pennsylvania
— Act 129 directed that all electric distribution companies with at least
100,000 customers are to file an energy efficiency and conservation plan
— Requires a 4.5 percent reduction (1,193 MW) in peak demand by May 31,
2013
– The utility could be fined up to $20 million for failing to meet these
reduction targets.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
REAL TIME INTELLIGENCE
TECHNOLOGY
Three Pillars of the Smart Grid
1 AMI
DATA
MANAGEMENT
Economic Efficiency
2 DR
LOAD
LOAD
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
Conservation
Demand Response
Educates and enables a
customer to make “Smart”
energy conservation decisions
3 DA
ASSET
MANAGEMENT
Delivery Efficiency, Asset Yield
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Advanced Metering
Infrastructure
“Smart” meters enable
time-of-use billing, power
quality and outage reports
Distribution Automation
Enables “Smart”
infrastructure to enhance
asset yield
Financial Implications
Why is this important to businesses
– beyond social implications
1.
2.
3.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Think about the scale
– # of endpoints on network
increasing
– Interval data updates
Think about costs
– A small change in peak
demand can lead to
significant cost savings
Think about benefits
– Programs typically target
3% - 6% reduction in
energy; depends on
specifics of program
Trends and Transformations
• Technology has evolved rapidly:
- Smart Meters more sophisticated
and reliable
- Costs have decreased
• Many early adopters abandoning
original AMR systems:
- Features that were once
uneconomic & unproven now
cost-effective, reliable and
practical
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Driving Change
•
•
•
•
•
Business case justified
Costs reasonable
Benefits quantifiable
Skilled workers retiring
Conservation a
necessity
• Co-opetition among
vendors
CONSERVATION
Goal: Balanced Demand
Typical Day
• Utility forecasts how much energy it
expects to use on a given day
• Purchases energy slightly in excess of
forecasted peak demand
• Typical peaks morning & evening; more
costly to produce energy during these
high-use periods
Peak Day
• Energy consumption spike usually caused by
unexpected hot/cold temperatures
• Appliances & HVAC forced to work harder
• Two tough choices:
- Spot Market: purchase energy that is often
10x higher than retail; costs & greenhouse gas
emissions rise
- Shed Load: brownout; inconvenience customers
TYPICAL
PEAK DAY
DAY
MORNING PEAK
Over 50% of a utility’s annual
power costs can be incurred
within 10% of operating hours. EVENING PEAK
EMISSIONS
COST / kWh
FORECASTED USAGE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 | 24:00
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
CONSERVATION
Goal: Balanced Demand
• Goal 1: flatten the peaks by moving some
consumption to periods where energy is
more abundant and cheaper to produce
• Goal 2: shed load on specific devices (air
conditioners / pool pumps) rather than
enacting full-scale brownouts
• Goal 3: signal customers when different
price levels are in effect so they can better
manage household usage and reduce costs
EMISSIONS
COST / kWh
FORECASTED USAGE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BALANCE
MORNING PEAK
EVENING PEAK
1:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 | 24:00
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
CONSERVATION
DR Scenario #1
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Direct Load Control
• Utility encounters critical peak
• Load Shed command broadcast to
participating customers
• Power cycled down or shut off on
registered appliances (HVAC, pool
pumps, etc.)
• Action verified & recorded at utility;
data integrated into billing report
• Customer can override event
• Utility can stop shedding event or
normal operations resume after preset period
CONSERVATION
DR Scenario #2
Signaling
•
- Smart appliances (fridge, dish & clothes washer)
•
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•
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Smart Thermostats (IHD) installed
Alert sent to participating customer which
TOU level is in effect or if load shed
imminent
IHD alerts all customers or only those
enrolled in a particular DR program
Customer decides on the level of
participation - full, partial or ignore
Power cycled down or shut off on selected
appliances (HVAC, pool pumps, etc.)
Action verified & recorded at utility; data
integrated into billing report
Customer can override an event or change
preferences / programs at any time via the
IHD console
DESIGN CRITERIA
ATTRIBUTES
SMART GRID EVOLUTION
Smart Grid Building Blocks
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
• Scalable
• Easy integration with
back office
applications
• Processing power
• Scalable
• Public & private comms
options
• Standards based
• Redundancy
• Strong security
• Priority driven
messaging
• Utility lifecycle
•
•
•
•
•
Appliance connectivity
Simple management
Isolate HAN lifecycle
Customer signaling
Evolutionary design
NS
WAN
LAN
HAN
Network Server
Wide Area Network
Local Area Network
Home Area Network
• Application interfaces
- simple TCP/IP links
• Two-way
communications
interoperability:
- SCADA
- CIS / Billing / etc.
• Multiple platforms
- wired or wireless
• Standards based
– WiFi, WiMAX, GSM
• Public/private
• Right-sized capacity
• Cost-effective
migration path
• Rapid deployment
• Surgical deployment
• Self-initiating &
self-healing network
• Standard radios
• Meter endpoints for
- electric / water / gas
• Multiple meter types
supported
• Over-the-air programming
• Access via meter / load
control
• DR modules:
- load control
- IHD / smart thermostat
• Time-stamped
• Opt-in & out
The Smart Grid Network
Components
Command & control center
TCP/IP
900 MHz
LAN
Network Server
WAN
Wired & Wireless
Two-way, real-time
connectivity
Private and public WAN
options – RF & Broadband
Field initiated network – selfconfiguring, self-healing
Home Area Networks
HOME AREA NETWORK
Demand Response
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Built for urban & rural
coverage; scalable
220 MHz Transceiver :: RT-3250
RF Gateway for WAN Communication
Ensures reliable & efficient two-way wireless communication
between a Utility Operations Center and a cluster of LAN devices.
• Provides long-range, terrain hugging communication
in rural & urban environments via 220 MHz
• Gathers data from multiple LAN endpoints:
– meter readings, power quality data, and outage alerts
• Issues commands to single or multiple meters:
– remote disconnect or time-synched reads
• Read on request or interval reads:
– minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months
• Delivers interval data for advanced metering:
– TOU, CPP, RTP pricing
– load control & demand response
• Simple installation in Form 2S meter socket:
– solid state & electromechanical meters
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
TUNet PRODUCTS
Ethernet WAN Collector
LAN / WAN Gateway for Ethernet Communication
A two-way Ethernet hub for utilities that prefer to use the
Internet as their backbone data communications network.
• Connects an Ethernet WAN to TUNet enabled 900 MHz LAN devices:
• Designed for utilities/municipalities that operate Fiber-to-the-Home network
• Gathers data from multiple LAN endpoints:
– meter readings, power quality data and outage alerts
• Issues commands to single or multiple meters:
– remote disconnect, load control events or time-synched reads:
• Supports on-demand reads or scheduled interval reads:
– minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months
• Delivers interval data for advanced metering:
– TOU, CPP, RTP pricing
– load control & demand response
• Simple installation in Form 2S meter socket:
– solid state & electromechanical meters
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
USE CASES
Use Cases
A Closer Look at How Electric and Telecoms Providers Would Reach Homes
•
Use Case #1: Outdoor interface directly to •
smart meters via Ethernet
–
Use Case #3: Wireless WAN
–
This is what we show on our display wall
Endpoints (meters / homes) are far enough away
from each other that we need Sharkfin on each
home to connect to the network --- LAN not enough
range
ONT / NID
Access Network
Tantalus RT-4101
IP Collector
(Fiber)
•
Use Case #2: Wireless LAN (Tantalus
traditional deployment)
•
Use Case #4: Indoor Modem
–
Indoor Modem connected to outdoor meter via
Ethernet
– One of the Ethernet ports on the indoor ONT or
modem must be wired out to the outdoor smart meter
MOdem
Access Network
Tantalus RT-4101
IP Collector
(Fiber)
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
TUNet TECHNOLOGY
HAN: HOME AREA NETWORK
SMART HOME
Serves as backbone
network for all meter &
HAN data
Endpoints provide access
to home: meter, In-Home
Display, load control
device
Two-way, real-time
network established
between utility & home
LM communicates via
900 MHz
IHD communicates via
ZigBee or 900 MHz;
interfaces with multiple
devices
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
TUNet PRODUCTS
LOAD MANAGEMENT SWITCH :: LM-1421
The Cornerstone of an Effective DR Program
Centrally manage loads directly via TUNet in order to quickly
reduce electricity consumption both locally or across the
service territory during critical economic & emergency events.
• Remotely manage in-home customer loads
• Connects to a variety of appliances: central air conditioners, electric
water & baseboard heaters and pool pumps
• Part of a utility reliability strategy aimed to improve SAIDI & SAIFI
results by avoiding overloads, blackouts & brownouts
• Compatible with low and high current loads
• End-user flexibility: allows customers to opt-out of shedding
events; notifies utility if device is physically disconnected
• All events verified, logged & time-stamped
• Easy to install and operate / inside or outside
• Easy to use Web interface for utility control;
over-the-air firmware upgrades
• Automatically re-activates power after pre-programmed time
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
TUNet PRODUCTS
PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT :: ST-1480
Communicating Smart Thermostat to Maximize Conservation
Customizable, feature-rich Demand Response device for customer
signaling, load control & a full range of conservation programs.
• Highly configurable & customizable – implement desired rate structures, load
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© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
control programs, user messaging and over-ride permissions
Supports over-the-air upgrades and programming via TUNet to extend features and
change operating parameters
Reliable communications, self-initiating & self-healing
association within the TUNet LAN; optional ZigBee
Bright visual alerts notify consumers
when load shedding is active and when low,
medium or high energy price in effect
Functions as a standalone device or in
conjunction with other TUNet-enabled meters
or load control switches
Confirms commands; time-stamped messages
verify start & stop time for accurate billing
and regulatory reporting
Works with both residential and C&I loads:
– HVAC air conditioners and heat pumps
Current Environment – Home Automation and Security
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Current Environment – Energy Management
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Current Environment – Cable Opportunity?
• TV as portal of choice?
– Vs. previous consumer
gateway
• Power of the Set Top
Box
– Zigbee connections?
• Partnership to head off
competition
– Muni’s looking to run fiber
– and for add’l revenue?
• Cross Marketing
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Consumer Portal / dashboard that allows
users to see their energy usage and trends
in real-time. The Portal gives users control
over their consumption by allowing them to
set up custom profiles based on their needs
for comfort and desire to save on energy
bills. Dashboard controls can also be
accessed from any smart phone that can
access the web.
Recognize the Players
• Municipal Electric vs. City
• Cooperatives
• Investor Owned Utility (IOU)
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Opportunity
Hancock Telecom and Central Indiana Power
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Know your Customer
Know what Itches
• Know the Industry
– Each utility’s vision, philosophy, plans and priorities – that’s
what drives their SG solution (if any)
• Understand electric utility economics
– Generation/Wholesale Power Cost is the primary driver – it’s
all about cost/resource avoidance.
– Is selling less of something a good thing?
– Focus is on reliability, power quality – non-revenue generating
objectives
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
High Level Utility Overview
• Strengths
– Building, operating and managing highly complex electromechanical infrastructure
– Commitment to reliability and redundancy – failure is not an
option (Cost is usually second to reliability)
– Cautious and methodical – electric service is essential to
public safety
• Gaps
– Building and managing high-volume endpoint communication
networks
– IT prowess
– Application integration
– Managing continuous consumer interaction
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
What are the Opportunities?
• Seek solutions – not simply connectivity
– Networks
– Non-critical communications – the place to start
– Non-time critical
– Most consumer level data
– Command and control networks
– Critical – failure is not an option…period.
– Hardest space to break in to…need to build trust
– IT support
– Enterprise level solutions
– OSS/BSS
– Time differentiated billing
– Customer portals
– Call centers
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Perspectives
• How far along are you in thinking about smart
grid?
– Just starting to look into it
– Have met with local electric utilities
• What do you see as the key challenges of working with
utilities?
– Reliability
– Security concerns
– Geographic coverage /
dissimilar footprints
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
– Regulatory issues
– Operating philosophies
– Each wants to own the network
What are the Challenges?
• Build Trust
– Haven’t necessarily played together very nicely in the past.
– pole attachments
– municipal broadband
• Understand what’s at stake for the utility (your
customer) economically, operationally, politically etc…
• Rethink customer care. A utility is not a customer. It’s
a partner. Your highest priority partner. Often when
their service doesn’t work, yours doesn’t either.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
MSO’s and the Smart Grid
• Leverage the strengths of your organization to enable
comprehensive end to end solutions for utilities
– Utility requires reliable, secure and low latency network
– Speeds deployment by using an existing access infrastructure
– Leverages technical skills of communications provider staff
• Communication service providers leverage their core asset
– the network – as well as IT capabilities to provide utilities
with the communications fabric over which the smart grid
can be deployed
– Expands service revenue streams
– Justifies deeper fiber deployment to electric sub-stations, wireless
base stations and perhaps all the way to the home
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Recognize Cultural Differences and Develop
a Strategy for SG
Know
Industry
Build
Trust
Develop
Solutions
Identify
Gaps
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Cultural
Differenc
es
Which Utilities Make Good Targets
• Some utilities are more likely than others to cooperate
– Focus on utilities that do not produce their own power - those
that buy all their power are more incented to implement Smart
Grid
– The more territory overlap the better
– Utilities with small IT and telecom staffs are more likely to be
willing to work with communications service providers
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
VALUE
The Future is Now
Adaptable communications technology that meets the broad set of
requirements utilities face today and in the years to come.
Technology Built for Future Needs
• Capacity to grow – single network to supports ALL
Smart Grid functions individually and simultaneously
– functionality ready when needed
• Built for speed; instant data and response
• Designed to interface and interconnect – plug & play
Risk Management
• Proven technology / adaptability built-in
• Flexible communications options:
– single transport or best combination
• Single network for cost-effectiveness
and easy maintenance
• Surgical deployment minimizes risk
and accelerates payback
• Open standards for interoperability with
future applications
• Timing: change priorities as objectives shift
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Crystal Ball Considerations
• Beyond billing!
• Energy Bill impact:
– TOU, fuel surcharges, other
• Home Area Network:
– full menu of DR options
• Distributed Generation
• Congestion management
• Multiple utilities:
– electric, water, gas, propane
• Your utility objectives:
– today, tomorrow, next year…
Thank you for your time!
Questions?
Matt Haile
Tantalus
mhaile@tantalus.com
(919) 605-0454
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Edison vs. Bell
• If Alexander Graham Bell were somehow transported
to the 21st century, he would not begin to recognize
the components of modern telephony – cell phones,
texting, cell towers, PDAs, etc. –
• Thomas Edison, one of the grid’s key early architects,
would be totally familiar with the grid!
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Smart Grid Capital
• Smart grid is drawing capital investments
– RUS-Investing hundreds of millions in advanced
metering in rural areas; client cooperatives cover
42% of US distribution network
– ARRA-$3.4 billion in funding for Smart Grid projects
was awarded by the Department of Energy in 2009
– Tantalus funding / finance facility
– Significant private capital is flowing in to Smart Grid
– Over $4 billion complements ARRA funded projects
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Smart Grid ARRA Project Map
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.
Sources of Smart Grid Information
• Good reference sites for further information
– Federal government Smart Grid portal
http://www.smartgrid.gov/
– National Institute of Standards-Smart Grid Framework and
Roadmap
http://www.smartgrid.gov/standards/existing
– Federal Smart Grid Task Force
http://www.smartgrid.gov/task_force
– RUS-Loan and grant programs for electric and water
http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/service.htm
http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/
– ARRA-Link to see who won smart grid funding through
ARRA
– http://www.energy.gov/recovery/smartgrid_maps/SGIGSelections_Category.pdf
http://www.energy.gov/recovery/smartgrid_maps/SGIGSelections_State.pdf
© 2010-11 Tantalus Systems Corp.