By Jesse Berst
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In the early days of the smart grid, most pioneers used purpose-built RF mesh networks for smart metering and distribution automation. In the past two years, however, cellular technology has emerged as a viable option.
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But when does cellular really make sense? I decided it was time for an update and so I've scheduled a Lessons from the Real World webinar with experts from Qualcomm and SAIC to learn what utilities are and aren't doing with cellular. (Click the link to reserve a spot and to submit questions in advance.)
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In researching the webinar, I've learned that cellular is finding a home -- several homes, actually. Here are three cellular deployment strategies that utilities are implementing today in their smart grid programs:
????????? Standalone solution. Utilities can now use cellular technology to link directly to meters, or directly to neighborhood concentrators. Consumers Energy is using the former strategy to deploy meters today, as is Texas-New Mexico Power.
????????? Targeted solution. Utilities can use cellular to deploy smart meters and other grid-related assets in targeted locations to maximize ROI and minimize time to market. Entergy is using this approach, for instance.
????????? Communications aggregation solution. Some utilities are using cellular in combination with other communications and computing technologies to address their grid modernization efforts. ?Duke Energy's pole-top communication nodes fill this role.
The theories and realities of today's cellular offerings
The core concept is that a utility can use a commercial cellular network -- the same network cell phones use -- to connect its devices. In theory, this lets the utility focus on electric power challenges and turn over the communications issues to a specialist. In theory, the cellular approach offers advantages such as:
????????? No last-mile connection. Cellular already reaches 99% of all customers in most territories, so there is no need to build a network from scratch or to create that last connection to the premise.
????????? Proven technology. Today's cellular technologies are mature and established.
????????? Benefits of scale. Cellular enjoys the robust security, reliability and performance that come from successfully connecting more than 5 billion people worldwide.
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Despite those theoretical advantages, North American utilities were initially very cautious about trusting outside organizations with their essential communications needs. They were concerned about such things as:
????????? Pricing. Cellular pricing was outrageous in the early days. Today, however, all the major carriers have a division devoted to machine-to-machine (M2M) in general and smart grid in particular. Prices are now very competitive.
????????? Long-term stability. Commercial cell networks are constantly evolving. Some utilities feared this would require them to periodically swap out communications modules the way consumers swap out new handsets. Today, most carriers will contractually guarantee support and backwards compatibility for years to come. Meanwhile, the latest chipsets from Qualcomm support multiple 3G flavors, plus backwards compatibility with 2G, plus "forwards compatibility" (extensibility) with 4G.
????????? Loss of control. Many utilities prefer to have the only say on how the communications network will be used, who goes to the front of the line in emergencies, how fast upgrades occur, and so on. To address this concern, cellular companies have responded with quality-of-service guarantees and improved abilities to prioritize traffic.
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Of course, what really matters is what utilities are experiencing out in the real world. Which brings us to...
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Learning more from experts who've gone before
If you are a utility professional wondering if now is the time to consider cellular communications, I invite you to join us on Thursday, March 14, for How Utilities are Using Cellular Communications Today. (Click to reserve a place.) We'll be joined by communications experts Sunvir Gujral and Andy Wood from Qualcomm to bring you up to speed on the latest developments and innovations in cellular technology. And by SAIC's Emerging Technology Lead Jeff Norman, who will share lessons learned and best practices gleaned from real-world installations at places such as Consumers Energy, Duke Energy, TNMP and Texas Electric Cooperative.
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You will walk away knowing:
????????? The latest in cellular technology developments
????????? The role cellular is playing today
????????? How Duke Energy, Consumers Energy, TNMP and other utilities are leveraging cellular today
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Attendance is free while space remains. When you register, you can type in questions you want the presenters to address. (During the webinar you can also type in as many follow-on questions as you want, which will be answered live if possible and by email if not.)
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Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.
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