Abstract:
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
represent a fundamental element in the growth and performance
of smart grids. A sophisticated, reliable and fast communication
infrastructure is, in fact, necessary for the connection among the
huge amount of distributed elements, such as generators, substations,
energy storage systems and users, enabling a real time exchange
of data and information necessary for the management of
the system and for ensuring improvements in terms of efficiency,
reliability, flexibility and investment return for all those involved
in a smart grid: producers, operators and customers. This paper
overviews the issues related to the smart grid architecture from
the perspective of potential applications and the communications
requirements needed for ensuring performance, flexible operation,
reliability and economics.
