Measurement and Communication Interfaces for

Distributed Generation in Smart Grids

Giovanni Artale, Antonio Cataliotti, Member IEEE, Dario Di Cara, Giovanni Tinè, Member IEEE,
Valentina Cosentino, Ngoctrung Nguyen Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di
Department of Energy, Information engineering and Studi sui Sistemi Intelligenti per l’Automazione (ISSIA)
Mathematic Models (DEIM), Università di Palermo, Via Dante Alighieri, 12, 90141 Palermo, Italy
Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy e-mail: dicara@pa.issia.cnr.it, tine@pa.issia.cnr.it
e-mail: giovanni.artale@unipa.it, acataliotti@ieee.org,
cosentino@dieet.unipa.it, ngoctrung.nguyen@unipa.it

Abstract— The aim of this work is to perform a feasibility electricity networks. The European Commission Smart Grid
study on the measurement and communication strategies for Mandate, M/490 EN [3] is aimed at developing or updating
the development of a new generation of interface devices for the European standardization for smart grids, concerning
distributed generators and their integration on smart grids. The DGs connection, network automation and so on. All these
communication system can use one or more technologies, at the
various levels, creating a low cost network infrastructure, in the
activities involve a number of IEC and CENELEC Standards
framework of a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data and Technical Specifications; for example, the CENELEC
Acquisition) architecture. As regards the measurements, the Technical Committee TC8X WG3 is currently working on
attention is focused on the anti-islanding protection, based on a some documents concerning the Requirements for the
hybrid solution, which makes use of local measurements and connection of micro-generators (up to 16 A) and generators
communications with the grid, at both MV and LV level by (above 16 A) to distribution networks [4]-[6]. At national
employing the PLC technology. Some simulation and level, some standards are available on these topics, such as
experimental results are presented, showing the feasibility of the standard CEI 0-21 in Italy [7] or VDE-AR-N 4105 in
the proposed solution. Germany [8], whose approaches are very similar to the
Keywords — distributed generation, interface devices, smart European standards projects [5] and [6]. Furthermore, at
grids, power system communications, power line communication, international level, some IEC and IEEE standards are
islanding detection available, which define the requirements for connection of
DGs and utility grid and the characteristics of the related
I. INTRODUCTION interface devices (IDs) [9]-[12]. Generally speaking, these
standards address the normal voltage and frequency
The increasing presence of DGs in distribution networks operation range, some power quality issues, and safety
can affect the monitoring, automation, protection and control related matters.
systems features, causing critical situations for network
protection and automation, quality of service, voltage In most cases these standards also address the issue of the
regulation, unwanted islanding risk. Such situations can be unwanted islanding [13], requiring that DGs must detect an
even more critical because of inversions of power flows islanding condition and disconnect from the grid (anti-
direction, which can occur in the distribution power lines due islanding protection). The anti-islanding requirements are
to the contemporary presence of both generators and loads essentially based on local measurements and passive
and the intrinsically unpredictable and time-varying nature of detection methods [14]. As regards this last aspect, in [7]
RES production. To face such problems, a complete some thresholds are fixed for the disconnection of DGs in
rethinking of the management and control of electricity terms of over/under voltage and frequency. Furthermore, it
networks is needed. The networks have to move from introduces the possibility for the utility to remotely command
passive systems (with unidirectional energy flows and a the disconnection of the DGs or to modify the
limited amount of intelligent and automation functions) to aforementioned thresholds, in order to avoid the operation in
new active “smart grids”, where energy flows are bi- islanding conditions. The standard introduces also some new
directional and advanced metering and communication features related to the possibility for DGs to participate to the
technologies and capabilities provide for monitoring, voltage and frequency regulation, by means of the
automation, protection and control actions [1]. implementation of proper control strategies, based on the
remote control by the utility. In this viewpoint, the clear
As regards this last aspect, some initiatives are in course perspective is to move towards a complete integration of
at European Community level, to face the issues related to DGs with the utility systems, implementing not only
the DG integration in distribution networks. The Network protection functions, but even more, contributing to power
Code Development by ENTSO-E (European Network of grid stability and control. Thus, new IDs have to be
Transmission System Operators for Electricity) [2] concerns developed, which should integrate measurement and
the technical rules for DGs connection to and operation with communication functions. Moreover, a two-ways

978-1-4673-5573-5/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE

communication infrastructure is needed, to allow the communication architecture a hybrid solution for an anti-
information exchange between the IDs and their remote islanding protection can be developed which makes use of
control. As regards the communication protocols, the both local measurements and communications with the
standards [7] and [8] suggest the IEC 61850 protocol, which distribution grid, at both MV and LV level [28]. The problem
is already used for automation systems in substations and it of the unwanted islanding is mainly due to the fact that
could represent a suitable solution for all smart grid utilities cannot remotely control the DGs, because of the
applications [15]-[16]. current gaps in standardization, the limits of the existing
utility interface devices (IDs) and the lack of proper
The aim of this work is to perform a feasibility study on communication systems for information exchange between
the measurement and communication strategies for the the utility and the DGs.
development of a new generation of IDs and their integration
on a measurement and communication network architecture
for smart grid applications. The attention is focused on the MV NETWORK
anti-islanding protection, based on a hybrid solution which LINE LINE

makes use of both local measurements and communications Hyperlan

antenna*
with the distribution grid, at both MV and LV level. Some Secondary
Substation
simulation and experimental results are presented, showing MASTER MV
MV
Coupler
Coupler

the feasibility of the proposed solution. PLC signal* PLC signal*

PRIMARY SUBSTATION
II. THE PROPOSED SOLUTION MV/LV
Hyperlan
The development of a smart grid requires a proper two- antenna*
PLC signal*
ways “always on” communication infrastructure and a Concentrator
number of other intelligent field devices. At present, a proper
PLC signal
communication infrastructure is still missing in distribution
networks (involving both MV and LV levels). A large PLC signal PLC signal
variety of communication technologies can be exploited: ID ID
wire lines and fiber-optic cables, wireless communication, PV
LV Loads LV Loads
radio communication, wireless local area networks and PV
Source
Source
power line communications (PLC) [17]-[20]. Some of these
technologies could be suitable for the urban territory, already
covered by the new generation networks (as the broadband), Fig. 1. Communication architecture. (The * indicates solutions that are
while they could be inappropriate for rural areas, where the used alternatively)
access to them is limited and the distance between the
various connection points are significant. A solution can be a In recent times there has been also an increasing interest
multi-level architecture, which can use different in a sort of “intentional” islanding operation, as well as in the
technologies, at the various level, creating a low cost so-called micro-grids. In these cases the distribution grid (or
network infrastructure, in the framework of a SCADA a part of it) can still operate in controllable islanding
(Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) architecture. In conditions, decoupled from the main grid. This can allow the
this sense, the proposed communication architecture is improvement of power quality in terms of supply continuity.
schematized in Fig. 1, where two possible solutions are In such condition the islanding detection is still important, in
shown. The first one is based on the use of only PLCs. It is order to switch the DGs’ control mode from the simple
known that the PLCs are intrinsically not expensive for the power injection to the voltage and frequency control. Several
electrical utilities, since they usually own the electrical methods can be found in literature concerning the islanding
network. The authors have already investigated the detection, which can be classified into passive, active and
feasibility of the employment of the PLC technology in MV communications-based methods [13]. The anti-islanding
and LV networks [21]-[27]. Thus a possible solution for the protection considered in the standards is mainly based on
communication between the Master unit and the IDs can be passive methods (local measurements). In the passive
obtained as shown in Fig. 1. A concentrator is connected to methods the discrimination between the islanding and grid
the LV side of each secondary substation, to collect the PLC connected condition is based upon some thresholds, which
data from the IDs (in analogy with the Automatic Meter are set for the measured parameters [13]-[14]. Passive
Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure [26]). On the methods have the advantage of an easy and low-cost
other hand, a capacitive coupler is used to send the PLC implementation. Furthermore they do not deteriorate the
signal to the MV bus-bars of the primary substation. In this power quality levels at the metering section (on the contrary,
way a MV-LV communication (by crossing the power this is the main drawback of the active methods). However,
transformer) is realized between the Master Unit and the they can have a large “non-detection zone” (NDZ), i.e. they
concentrator. The second solution is a multi-level system, can fail when there is an almost balanced condition between
where PLCs are used in LV networks for the communication the DG’s generated power and the power consumed by the
between the IDs and the concentrator, while the concentrator loads connected to the supplied part of the network. In order
communicates with the master unit via a wireless connection to reduce the NDZ, the monitoring of different parameters
(for example Hyperlan). Starting from the proposed can be used [28]. Furthermore, the local measurements can
be integrated with the communications between the DG and
the grid, in accordance with [7]. In this way, a mix of
information can be obtained (even redundant) in order to
avoid misleading situations [28]. As regards this, the
employment of PLC technology has been already
investigated for islanding detection [17]-[18]. Such methods
are based on a transmission of data between the DG and the
electrical utility via power line, and these data are used by
the DG to determine when to disconnect. These applications
have been mainly developed separately for LV or MV
systems. The proposed method is based on both local
measurements and communications, which are integrated in
a new ID and communication architecture. As regards the
anti-islanding protection, most standards fix some thresholds Fig. 2. Developed interface device prototype.
for the disconnection of DGs in terms of over/under voltage
III. USTICA ISLAND’S SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL
and frequency. For example, in [7] the limits for voltage and
RESULTS
frequency are 0.8-1.15 of the rated voltage (230 V) and ± 0.5
Hz around the rated frequency (50 Hz), respectively. Such
limits determine the NDZ, i.e. islanding cannot be detected if A. Simulations
voltage and frequency remain within such limits. To reduce This network is composed by two MV radial branches
the NDZ, the measurements of other parameters, such as departing from the generating substation. The rated voltage is
voltage THD and harmonics [28] and phase jumps at PCC 20 kV. 25 secondary substations, with MV/LV power
[28], can be added to the over/under voltage and frequency transformers of different sizes, are connected to the MV
considered in [7], by implementing the aforesaid buses. The model of the network has been simulated in
measurements on the ID’s metering section. To evaluate the Matlab environment. A DG was connected to the LV side of
feasibility of the proposed hybrid solution a simulation and one of the power transformers (PCC). The DG has been
experimental analysis have been carried out in the case of the modeled as a current generator, where the harmonic currents
Ustica Island’s distribution network. coming from the inverter (THD within the limit of 5%) have
been added. To simulate the presence of nonsinusoidal grid
A. Proposed interface device voltage, some harmonics (THD within the limit of 8%) have
been injected by the voltage generator, which simulates the
A block diagram of the proposed ID is reported in Fig. 2. Ustica’s generating substation. To simulate the presence of
The ID has a metering section for the acquisition of voltage nonlinear load, a diode bridge rectifier feeding a DC load has
and current. These data are processed in order to perform the been added at PCC, in parallel with other linear loads (R-L).
local measurements (rms voltage and current, frequency, The DG has been sized in order to have voltage and
harmonics ecc.); the ID operates on the basis of not only the frequency variations (before and after the islanding) within
local measurements but also the communication with the the thresholds of CEI 0-21 [7] (NDZ). Different scenarios
grid, in order to modify the thresholds for the Interface have been simulated, by varying the harmonics coming from
Protection Device (IPD) operation and the inverter the grid generator and the DG, as well as the load type (linear
functionalities. The proposed ID has been implemented on a or nonlinear). As an example, some simulation results (for
STM32 microcontroller of a STMicroelectronics E-meter THD and phase of voltage at PCC) are shown in Fig. 3. They
demo board STEVAL-IPP001V2. The transduction of refer to the case with nonsinusoidal grid voltage (THD = 5%)
voltage and current is performed by a STEVAL-IPE014V1 and nonlinear load. It can be seen that, when the islanding
with the Smart Sensor STPMS2. The data acquisition, condition occurs, there is a significant increase in the THD
processing and storage is carried out by the STEVAL- values at PCC, thus it is possible to use this information to
IPE010V1 board, with the energy calculator STPMC1, detect the islanding. Also the monitoring of the phase jump
which is connected with the STM32 microcontroller board. can give some useful information for the islanding detection.
Currently, the firmware has been developed in order to
implement the functions required in [7] and its operation has
been successfully verified by means of some experimental B. Communication tests
tests. This hardware solution allows one to easily implement Experimental tests were carried out in the case of two
further functionalities and measurements by reprogramming secondary substations of the Island of Ustica connected by a
only the firmware. The new ID can communicate with the MV overhead power line, 1.08 km long. The two substations
inverters through serial communication, i.e. RS232 port. under test are named “S. Paolo” and “S. Bartolicchio”. The
Furthermore it can also exchange data with utility through MV overhead power line is composed of three copper
the PLC port. For this purpose, the demo board is equipped conductors of 16 mm2 cross-section. Each substation has a
with a ST7580 multi-mode power line networking system-on 160 kVA MV/LV power transformer and a by-pass
chip, based on single carrier modulation, (FSK, BPSK, connection at MV bus-bars. S. Paolo and S. Bartolicchio
QPSK and 8 PSK) up to 30 kbps [13]. substations are connected to the near substations of the
Ustica’s MV network, by means of a 1.02 km long cable line
and a 500 m long mixed (overhead and cable) line,
respectively. The PLC system is based on phase to earth TABLE I. MV/LV COMMUNICATION TESTS.
configuration. The transmission performances were fc Modulation technique Bit rate [bps] Success rate
evaluated considering the success rate, which is the 72 kHz
B-PSK coded 4800 100%
percentage of the information bit packets received respect to FSK 2400 100%
the transmitted ones. The tests were carried out transmitting 110 kHz BPSK coded 4800 100%
1000 packets with inter-packet time of 100 ms. A cyclic
redundancy check (CRC) was performed on the payload TABLE II. LV/MV COMMUNICATION TESTS.
data, to verify if each packet was correctly received. fc Modulation technique Bit rate [bps] Success rate
BPSK 9600 94%
400 Q-PSK coded 9600 100%
72 kHz
B-PSK coded 4800 100%
FSK 2400 100%
200
QPSK coded 9600 82%
110 kHz
BPSK coded 4800 100%
Vpcc (V)

0
CONCLUSIONS
In this work a feasibility study was performed concerning
-200
the measurement and communication strategies for the
development of a new generation of interface devices for
-400 DGs and their integration on smart grids. The study was
0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6
Time (s)
carried out in the framework of the current evolution of the
(a) standardization in the field of DG integration in distribution
40 networks.
The proposed solution is a multi-level architecture, which
30 can use different technologies, at the various levels, creating
THD vpcc (%)

a low cost network infrastructure, in the framework of a

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
20
architecture. In the study a particular attention was devoted
to the use of PLCs technology, since it is intrinsically not
10 expensive for the electrical utilities. Several experimental on-
field tests are presented, which were carried out on the
distribution network of the Island of Ustica. The obtained
0
0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 results show the feasibility of the proposed solution.
Time (s)
(b) As regards the measurements capabilities of the new IDs,
40 the attention was focused on the anti-islanding protection,
which is one of the most significant issues faced by the
20 current standards in the field. A hybrid solution is proposed,
Phase Vpcc (deg)

which makes use of local measurements and

communications with the grid, at both MV and LV level by
0
employing the PLC technology. The preliminary simulation
results showed that with the proposed approach the
-2 0 effectiveness of the traditional measurements already
considered in the standards can be improved, reducing the
-4 0
non detection zone. In a further development some important
0 .4 0 .4 5 0 .5 0 .5 5 0 .6 issues as communication and synchronization protocols will
T i m e (s)
be taken into account [31].
(c)
Fig. 3. Simulation results; voltage at PCC (phase A). Islanding occurs
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
at 0,5 s. a) Voltage waveform ; b) Voltage THD; c) Voltage phase angle.
This research was supported by the grant PO FESR 2007-
13 Sicily, Line 4.1.1.1, Project: REIPERSEI Title: “Reti
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows automatically
Elettriche Intelligenti per la Penetrazione delle Energie
counting of the packets correctly received and the corrupted
ones. Tables I-II show the experimental results obtained in Rinnovabili nei Sistemi Elettrici delle Isole minori” (Smart
both LV-MV and MV-LV communication between the two grids for the exploitation of renewable energy sources in the
substations, with different modulation techniques and center little islands of the Mediterranean Sea), CUP
frequencies. The experimental results show that the G53F110000200004.
communication signal can be correctly received from both
substations by crossing the power transformer.
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