ITU unveils new standards for smart grid

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the new standards for smart grid.

The recommendations- ITU-T G.9955 and G.9956 define three international next generation narrowband powerline communications (NB-PLC) standards.

The approved family of standards will enable cost-effective smart grid applications such as distribution automation, diagnostic and fault location, smart metering, demand response, energy management, smart appliances, grid-to-home communications and advanced recharging systems for electric vehicles.

The NB-PLC transceivers defined in the ITU standards family are modified for the various topologies and characteristics of power grids around the world. Standardized transceivers will provide a 'smart' link between electricity and communications networks through their support of the use of power lines as a communications medium.

''The approved ITU NB-PLC family of international standards will be a fundamental building block for realizing a robust smart grid anywhere in the world, and will allow utilities to start immediate deployment of NB-PLC on a worldwide basis,'' said Dr Hamadoun Toure, secretary general, ITU.

The specifications define technologies that support indoor and outdoor communications over direct current and alternating current power lines (including low and medium voltage lines), through transformer communications, for both urban and long distance rural communications and at frequencies below 500 KHz.

''This world-first standard publication on Narrowband OFDM PLC technology can bridge the large gap of sub-dollar chips to unlock a gigantic smart grid market of advanced machine-to-machine communication with enhanced speed but ultra-high resiliency. It is a complementary and essential piece of the large puzzle of standards that IEC is assembling with ITU and ISO,'' said Richard Schomberg, IEC smart grid strategic group chairman.