Transmission & Distribution Technology 


Securing the smart grid: the road ahead


With the push for more efficient energy distribution, the smart grid has quickly transformed from the hottest buzzword to a global reality. But what exactly is the smart grid? Joshua Pennell explains.


Con la necesidad de una distribución de la energía más eficiente, la red inteligente ha pasado de ser un término técnico de moda a una realidad global. Pero, ¿qué es exactamente la red inteligente? Joshua Pennell nos lo explica.


Durch die große Nachfrage nach effizienterer Energieverteilung hat sich das „Smart Grid“ schnell von einem der meistgebrauchten Schlagwörter in eine globale Realität verwandelt. Aber was genau ist das „Smart Grid“? Ein Bericht von Joshua Pennell.


Fig. 1. A critical part of the smart grid is the advanced metering infrastructure – or smart meter network – which acts as both a distribution and endpoint.


W 8 www.engineerlive.com


hile the smart grid promises to deliver many benefits, it is essential to secure this critical infrastructure now, before it is too late.


So what exactly is the smart grid? Te


smart grid provides a much-needed update to our electric grid by connecting local power distribution with the national infrastructure, effectively changing the way electricity is delivered. Te smart grid’s energy delivery network is best described as a two-way flow of electricity and information that is capable of monitoring everything from power plants to customers’ individual appliances.


Real-time information Te smart grid leverages the benefits of distributed computing and fault-tolerant communication to deliver real-time information


and enable the near-instantaneous balance of supply and demand at the device level. A critical part of the smart grid is the


advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), or smart meter network, which acts as both a distribution and endpoint for communication and sensor nodes. Smart meters include a wireless network


interface and mesh networking software, which allow utility companies to update the software running the devices automatically and allows them to shut off a customer’s electricity over the network, known in the industry as remote disconnect. Smart meters are the most common component in the smart grid and are designed to give utilities and end-users more control over electricity distribution, generation, and usage, as well as greater savings and more efficient, reliable services.


Te benefits are undisputed; however, it is


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