4G and WiMAX for the Smart Grid: Enabling Access, Applications and Affordability
This research indicates that given the dilemma of US Department of energy awarding billions of dollars in smart grid grants while standards making bodies dither in providing the industry with standards, the power industry should look to the latest and greatest standards in telecommunications (Internet Protocol and 4G technologies such as WiMAX) to take advantage of federal dollars available for smart grid deployments while saving money on operating expenses. In addition, the deployment of a 4G network would enable the utility to offer wholesale and retail telecommunications services contributing new revenue streams for the utility while shortening the Return on Investment (ROI).
Contents
Executive summary -The 3 A'sAccess: 4G as Smart Grid Access Technology
What is a 4G Network?
Standards Based Equipment
4G and Smart Grid
4G Last Mile Access: What is WiMAX?
Fixed vs. Mobile WiMAX
Utility Manager Objections to WiMAX
Interference
Good Quality of Service
WiMAX Reliability
WiMAX is not Wi-Fi
WiMAX Components
WiMAX Base Stations
Outdoor CPE
Indoor CPE
USB, netbooks, femtocells
Link budget and building penetration
Spectrum Considerations
Internet Protocol
Access Conclusion
4G Backhaul Overview
Wireless Middle Mile Solutions
Considerations for Wireless Middle Mile
Backhaul Requirements
Licensed Microwave Wireless Backhaul Solutions
Licenses protect the links
Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Backhaul Solutions
Quality of Service (QoS)
Interference mitigation
Frequency Reuse
Rain fades
Reliability/availability
Ease of Licensing: E-Band in the US
High Availability
Backhaul Conclusion
Wireless Backhaul Considerations
Comparisons with Fiber
APPLICATIONS FOR A 4G SMART GRID
What does a utility need?
Grid monitoring
Meter reading, remote turn-on/turn-off
Grid physical security
Monitoring and metering distributed generation
AFFORDABILITY: COST PER HOUSEHOLD REACHED
Capital Expenditures: Cost per Subscriber or Household Reached
Operational Expenditures
Unconventional Revenue Streams
Conclusion Skip to top