Power Line Communication (PLC) is
an important part of a Smart Grid
Mr. Sumanta Pal
Yitran
November, 2012
1
Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is Smart Grid ?
About PLC
Where does PLC fit in Smart Grid?
About PLC Standard activities
Applications and Markets
Case studies
About Yitran
2
What is smart Grid?
Smart Grid
Applications
Smart Grid
Management
& Control
Business Intelligence
Applications
EMS/NMS/SGMS
Distribution Network Control
Home Appliance Control
Automatic DR
Applications
AMI Applications
Demand Response
Infrastructure
Other
Applications
AMI/AMR
Smart Meters
Smart Home Elements
3
Why do we need a Smart Grid?
• Reduce peak to average consumption from the Utility
point of view
• Reduce the power consumption during peak demand
periods
• Enable Utilities to get real time information regarding
each device/Meter on the Grid
• Enable adaptive tariff according to the consumption
(TOU)
4
About PLC
PLC is a “No New Wires” technology, which uses the standard
existing electrical wiring as the physical medium for communication.

The electrical wiring medium was originally devised for transmission of
power at 50-60 Hz !!


Signal attenuation at frequencies that can be utilized for PLC is fairly
high.

Electrical appliances introduce a variety of noise signals and
interferences such as carrier wave signals, spikes, pulses, bursts and
more.

Conclusion – Reliable and robust modem, yet low cost, is a MUST to
enable ubiquitous networking and control using PLC.
5
Where PLC can fit?
Smart Grid
Applications
Smart Grid
Management
& Control
Business Intelligence
Applications
EMS/NMS/SGMS
Distribution Network Control
Home Appliance Control
Automatic DR
Applications
AMI Applications
Demand Response
Infrastructure
Other
Applications
AMI/AMR
Smart Meters
Smart Home Elements
6
Utility Grid
GPRS
12
3
300
PLC Network #1
GPRS
12
3
200
PLC Network #2
GPRS
12
3
220
PLC Network #N
GPRS
CFE
Back Office
Sub Station
7
LV Transformer
PLC – GPRS
Bridge
Concentrator
GPRS
PLC Network
PLC Remote
1
1. One Concentrator under
the transformer
2. Up to 1000 Smart Meters
3. Each Meter can serve as
a repeater
2
PLC Remote
3
400
8
Home Demand Response:
Higher price indication, encourages consumers to reduce demand, thereby reduce the peak demand for
electricity.
9
PLC Communication
PLC Modem
•
•
•
•
•
TDD – Time Division Duplexing
Operate between 9Khz-500Khz
Rates 5Kbps up to 500Kps
Modulation: Spread Spectrum, OFDM, SFSK
PLC Networking Layer – “Mesh”
10
Standards Activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
HomePlug CC
ITU G.hnem activity
IEEE P1901.2 activity
PRIME – Ibedrola initiative
G3 PLC – Cooperate with EDF
Others
Yitran is a main contributor of HomePlug CC, ITU
G.hnem, IEEE P1901.2 and lately G3-PLC
11
Markets & Applications
12
AMR/AMM/AMI Products
13
Split Meter/Load Control
ESKOM / UtilLabs Load Shifting System
IT700 Inside
Metering outside the
Homes
Display in the Home
14
Smart Home Product
15
Street Light Products
Bulb Life:
1 week
Status:
Ok
16
Solar Panel Products
17
Case Study
18
18
Last Mile Communications System
Case Study – PLC – Eskom Utilities, South Africa
Challenge
Eskom needs to perform load management among •
the residential and industrial customers in order to
meet the demands for energy from the industrial
sector for economic growth.
The deployment of Universal Load Controller device •
that allows every household to apply load-shedding
to itself, rather than have Eskom do it on a broad
scale.
Concept
Use of PLC technology to provide the last mile •
access from the substation to the distribution box
outside the home
The PLC communication network to connect 30,000 •
homes, next stage is in plan.
Result
The use of the PLC
communication network
enables the ULC pilot to
conclude successfully.
Approach
The distance between the substation and the distribution box at the home can •
sometimes exceed 1Km.
A robust PLC technology is used to provide the reach without the use of any repeaters •
19
Last Mile Communications System
Case Study – PLC – Belgorod, Russia
Challenge
An AMR solution is required for the city of
Belgorod, Russia.
Concept
The use of PLC technology for the last mile
communication network for the AMR
solution.
Approach
The inherent condition of the power •
grid in Belgorod poses a great
challenge to the use of PLC technology
A robust PLC is deployed, including full •
AMR and networking firmware, to
overcome the challenges.
Result
Use of the PLC technology enables the
success of the AMR project. Already
installed 150K units.
20
Last Mile Communications System
Case Study – PLC – Mexico
Challenge
An AMR solution is required for Mexico –
Antitheft System
Concept
The use of PLC technology for the last mile
communication network from the
transformer into an IHD device within the
home.
Approach
The losses of electricity are close to •
30%. Measuring modules are installed
on top of the MV/LV transformer. In the
home there is only an In Home Display
A robust PLC is deployed, including full •
AMR firmware, to overcome the
challenges.
Result
Use of the PLC technology enables the
success of the project. Already order
200K units.
21
Yitran is a leading fabless IC company, developing
and providing state of the art Narrowband
Powerline Communication (PLC) ICs and solutions.
Location
 Headquarters – Beer Sheva
 Global offices in U.S., Russia, China,
India.
Personnel
 40 total employees / 19 in R&D
Product Offerings




Yitran IT800/700/900/1000 PLC chips
IT700/900/1000 Modules
ZigBee+ Residential RF-PLC solution
Y-Net/Y-Net+ RF-PLC dual network
platform
 Y-Net Evaluation / Development Tools
Technology Features
 Highly robust, low cost and simple setup
solutions
 Unique DCSK patented modulation
techniques
 Over 25 issued patents and more pending
 Baseline technology for setting new OFDM
based industry standards
Applications





Energy Management/Smart Grid
Home/Building Automation
Commercial Automation and Management
Solar Panel Monitoring and Control
Street Lights Monitoring and Control
22
The benefits of using Yitran’s PLC
•
•
Using the existing Power Line infrastructure
– Simple installation
• PLC unit integrated in the unit
• No need for additional components ( e.g. antenna )
• Automatic network creation
– Cost effective
• One chip solution including AFE
• Application embedded in the PLC chip
• Support - Remote software download ( maintenance)
Performance
– More then 90dB dynamic range
– Distance – can communicate over 1Km point to point
– Designed for Command and Control
– High reliability
– Low power consumption
23
THANK YOU
Yitran Communications Ltd.
Sumanta Pal
Technical Marketing & Support Manager
Sumanta.pal@yitran.com
Mob: +91 9930789945
www.yitran.com
24