Prof. Yi Qian from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln visited IOA on July 3, invited by the High Performance Network Laboratory (HPNL), IOA. "Advances and Challenges for Smart Grid Communication Infrastructures" was presented by Prof. Yi Qian.

In Prof. Yi Qian's report, he first introduced the background and motivation of communication infrastructures in smart grid systems. He then summarized major requirements that smart grid communications must meet, followed by the current technology advances.

The smart grid is a term referring to the next generation power grid in which the electricity distribution and management is upgraded by incorporating advanced two-way digital technology and communication capabilities for improved control, efficiency, reliability and safety. Communication infrastructures are at the core of the smart grid as they will empower the legacy power grid with the capability of supporting two-way energy and information flow, isolating restoring power outages more quickly, facilitating and integrating the consumer with tools for optimizing their energy consumption.

Prof. Yi Qian further discussed the challenges for a communication infrastructure as the part of a complex smart grid system. Since a mart grid system might have millions of consumers and devices, the demand of its scalability, reliability and security was extremely critical. Through a communication infrastructure, a smart grid could improve power reliability and quality to eliminate electricity blackout.

After the report, the attendees had a heated discussion about the challenges in smart grid communication system. The report was well received by researchers and students from the HPNL.

(Source: YUAN Sha from the High Performance Network Laboratory)