Powerline Smart Grid developments

The Universal Powerline Association (UPA) has issued two market requirement documents (MRDs) for Powerline communication-based Smart Grid and C&C (command and control) applications.

The MRDs have three fundamental principles:

• Delivering interoperability across all ‘C&C’ and Smart Grid applications;
• Maintaining an open, non-proprietary protocol meeting and exceeding industry requirements; and
• Facilitating international regulatory approvals.

The C&C MRD focuses exclusively on in-home applications and those that tie into smart grids such as HVAC, appliance, security, lighting and energy management applications.

The Smart Grid MRD provides a baseline to clarify the multiple economic, commercial, legislative and environmental requirements against which UPA members develop products and services. Smart Grids must help utilities to intelligently integrate the actions of all components and users connected to the grid.

The Smart Grid MRD addresses grid issues such as necessary data speeds that allow the infrastructure and product or solutions on the grid to be instantaneously responsive in a wide range of applications and security levels to defend against cyber intrusion. The MRD defines how the entire value-chain of the Smart Grid network needs to operate and interoperate — taking into account existing infrastructure, processes and approvals, as well as future-proofing with new and proven techniques and technologies.

The UPA is currently in discussions with key stakeholders in the energy markets including utilities, regulators, OEMs and suppliers to join its efforts to ensure successful and effective Powerline C&C and Smart Grid technology solutions.