Projects / Programmes
Resource management for low latency reliable communications in smart grids - LoLaG
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.08.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Telecommunications |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T180 |
Technological sciences |
Telecommunication engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
fifth generation (5G), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), wide-area monitoring system (WAMS), phasor measurement unit (PMU)
Researchers (14)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
With the research and development activities towards the 5th generation (5G) wireless access technologies reaching the peak intensity, it is very timely to investigate how the three emerging classes of services, i.e. enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), meet the requirements of different vertical industries and how they can be actually implemented in various specific operating environments. In this project we are particularly interested in the power system vertical that is currently in the transition from the mature and reliable traditional architecture with bulk generation on one side and consumers on the other side of the transmission and distribution grids, towards smart grid concept incorporating distributed converter-based renewable energy sources and active energy management. Such smart grid concept requires real-time monitoring and management, and 5G is expected to better address these emerging needs of power systems to enable a bidirectional exchange of energy and operational data. It is motivated by the fact that the escalating power system complexity can no longer be accommodated by infrastructure over-dimensioning, but necessitates a data-driven transformation to instantiate situational awareness, allow the operation closer to the stability margin and assure appropriate reactions to network events.
The scope of this project includes detailed investigation of (i) URLLC to support real-time system observability and (ii) distributed/edge computing to support local decision-making. The grid technology that represents the means with the highest potential for these tasks is Wide-Area Monitoring System (WAMS), which depends on continuous streams of synchronized on-line measurements provided by Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). Many recent research activities are intended to take advantage of WAMS for performing real-time automatized protection and control actions, and to make use of them also in the distribution, not only transmission segment. Some of these applications include real-time system state determination, real-time congestion management, phase-angle monitoring, disturbance propagation monitoring, etc. With the increase in the number of converter-based renewable generation units, which brings into picture several uncertainties that never before played such an important part in ensuring a safe and reliable power system operation, there is a clear requirement for the:
- Research, development and validation of concepts enabling the improvement of current power system operation.
- Initialization of necessary procedures that assure safe and reliable power system operation.
LoLaG project addresses these problems with the utilization of URLLC wireless communication interface for PMU and introduction of edge computing as a mean for WAMS functions decentralization and distribution. URLLC makes possible for PMUs to rely on the public or private cellular network connectivity instead of dedicated wired infrastructure, while edge computing allows to move the processing capabilities of time critical protection scheme functions closer to the point of operation.
The goal of the project is to adapt existing and/or develop new URLLC and edge computing solutions to support the stringent requirements of WAMS applications for real-time monitoring, autonomous protection and distributed control of future power system. To achieve this goal, we will develop and implement (i) URLLC solution fulfilling the WAMS requirements, (ii) edge computing platform enabling the virtualization and distributed execution of microservices in 5G network architecture and (iii) power system monitoring and under-frequency load shedding protection scheme.
Significance for science
The proposed project is interdisciplinary and includes a number of innovative elements, important for the development of novel technologies and thus impacts scientific fields of telecommunications and energy systems. The project will develop new knowledge in the fields of reliable communications with low latency and in monitoring the status of power systems. New procedures will be developed for resource management and for edge computing and new scientific knowledge acquired, which will contribute to more efficient monitoring and management of smart grids and other similar large-scale distributed systems. The proposed research thus deals with a topic that is relevant for the wider field of telecommunications and energy systems. The results will be directly useable also on other vertical industries in 5G, where ultra reliable low latency communications are needed.
The project partially complements and extends research programs P2-0016 and P2-0356.
We expect original contributions to the field with publications in prominent journals and at internationally recognised conferences. Since Horizon 2020 identifies 5G, Internet of Things and Smart Grids as priority areas for research, we also expect participation in collaborative European projects. This project therefore presents an opportunity for participation also to collaborative EU projects and could stimulate the engagement of Slovenian researchers in the areas of 5G and smart grid research.
Significance for the country
The proposed project is interdisciplinary and includes a number of innovative elements, important for the development of novel technologies and thus impacts scientific fields of telecommunications and energy systems. The project will develop new knowledge in the fields of reliable communications with low latency and in monitoring the status of power systems. New procedures will be developed for resource management and for edge computing and new scientific knowledge acquired, which will contribute to more efficient monitoring and management of smart grids and other similar large-scale distributed systems. The proposed research thus deals with a topic that is relevant for the wider field of telecommunications and energy systems. The results will be directly useable also on other vertical industries in 5G, where ultra reliable low latency communications are needed.
The project partially complements and extends research programs P2-0016 and P2-0356.
We expect original contributions to the field with publications in prominent journals and at internationally recognised conferences. Since Horizon 2020 identifies 5G, Internet of Things and Smart Grids as priority areas for research, we also expect participation in collaborative European projects. This project therefore presents an opportunity for participation also to collaborative EU projects and could stimulate the engagement of Slovenian researchers in the areas of 5G and smart grid research.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
