5G: Opportunities and Challenges for Electric Distribution Companies | T&D World

Jan 14, 2021 | Article

5G: Opportunities and Challenges for
Electric Distribution Companies

Electric utilities to be both users and participants in this new world of communications.

Originally published via T&D World

By: Ron Chebra, VP of Grid Modernization
rchebra@enernex.com
865-218-4600 x8108

 


The advent of newer telecommunications technologies, such as 5G, is bringing to realization many new capabilities including, wireless broadband services, low latency connectivity and the ability to bring millions of internet connected devices; all of  which will have a direct and indirect impact on electric distribution utilities. There are realistic and practical opportunities for electric utilities to be both users and participants in this new world of communications.  Utilities, regardless of their governance structure, business structure or size, will have an opportunity to engage with these technologies. The level of participation will range from passive users to active partners; from pure infrastructure agents to collaborative contributors; and from pay for services rendered to possible owners of these capabilities.

The level of engagement utilities will have depends on a number of factors that will impact the relationship between utilities and communications providers. These generally  include regulatory constraints, which may dictate the level of participation or ability to enter into commercial enterprise, corporate governance structure, the franchise or operating structure that sets the boundaries of what services can be offered to customers.

Additionally, there is the willingness that utilities will have to invest time, dedicate resources and allocate capital – all of which translates to the potential financial, reputational and service risk and as well as the opportunity to reap rewards that would be associated with the varying depth and breadth of the commercial arrangements.

The Promise of 5G

The fifth generation wireless communications generation (5G) is based on the standards adopted by the International Telecommunications Council (ITC) and their third generation partnership program (3GPP). It is an open, interoperable standard used by virtually all carriers. The major change that this technology promises are improvements in 5 requirements, namely, speed, reduction in latency , higher bandwidth, greater capacity for connected devices a targeted 99.999% uptime, the goal of 100% coverage, reduction in network energy usage and up to 10 year battery life.

In terms of numbers, 5G speed will be up to 10Gbps peak data rate (a 10 to 100 X improvement over 4G networks); latency will approach less than 1 millisecond, compared to 50 to 100 msec in 4G), there will be 1000X bandwidth increase per unit, and the network will support up to 100X the number of simultaneously connected devices.

The 5G map of functionality visually shows these area that have been classified as Massive Internet of Things or Machine Type Communications (mMTC), Ultra-reliable, and Low Latency (URLLC), and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB).

 

 

 

 

Source: Source: J. Varga, A. Hilt, C. Rotter and G. Járó, “Providing Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Services for 5G with Unattended Datacenters,”

The Operational Opportunities for Utilities to Leverage Carrier Based 5G

While the  primary focus for this new technology from a common carrier’s perspective seems to center around broadband services, the most likely areas that will be important to electric utilities will be the increased capacity to support field area network needs for connected grid devices. The “Grid of Things” will greatly benefit from the connectedness afforded by the larger Internet of Things (IoT).

We plan to leverage our AMI network for connectivity needs, but that may change as we deploy more ‘grid-edge’ devices. -Executive for mid-sized mid Atlantic utility

Low Latency services potentially offer the opportunity to leverage this technology to support mission critical applications, such as protective relay management and SCADA and substation communications.

Use of 5G can potentially provide SCADA and other system data over a cellular network vs a hard-wired solution through fiber or copper. -General Manager, a Connecticut public utility

The high data rate mmWave wireless broadband services may be applied to Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) an area where some utilities like Duke Energy and EPRI are actively leveraging[1], and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)[2] that will improve asset management and visualization.

 

Utility Owned / Private LTE

As the technologies continue to provide improved performance capabilities, the industry demand for hardware, software and services is driving the cost of these components further down the price curve.  In many cases, utilities may already own frequency spectrums where these assets can operate and are exploring and deploying Private LTE (PLTE). In the past few months new frequency auctions in the 3550 to 3700 MHz band were held in an area known as Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS). Approximately 400 licenses were obtained by 11 electric utilities (6 IOUs’; 4 Co-ops and one Muni)[3].

The Challenges  5G Creates for Electric Utilities

There are key foundational elements for this new communications infrastructure, that include the use of existing and higher frequency spectrum. These are the low-band (<1GHz) and the mid-band (1-10GHz), these are where most of the 4G and LTE systems currently operate and the introduction of the high band (15-95GHz) spectrum or mmWave.

Because of the physics of propagation, the high band network will require a dense array of communications elements, known as small cells[4]. general, the term “small cell” are defined by both their range – that is how far the signals they transmit and receive can travel and in many cases, the number of simultaneous users they can support.

Given the proliferation of microcells and the drive for carriers and infrastructure firms, like American Tower, Crown Castle and SBA Communications, to leverage existing structures like electric distribution poles there is an increasing need for greater standardization of issues such as regulatory requirements, policies, safety concerns and aesthetics.

Regulatory Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established key requirements through various Orders. “Pole access also is essential to the race for 5G because mobile and fixed wireless providers are increasingly deploying innovative small cells on poles and because these wireless services depend on wireline backhaul.  Indeed, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 small cells will be constructed by the end of 2018, and these numbers are projected to reach 455,000 by 2020 and 800,000 by 2026.” [5]

To facilate the deployment of small cells, the FCC adopted a streamlined process for the rollout of these assets including setting governance over shot clocks[6] and guidance over local government governance over spacing, equipment design and aesthetic concerns. It also established a new pole attachment process that includes “one touch make-ready” (OTMR), in which the new attacher performs all make-ready work. OTMR speeds and reduces the cost of broadband deployment by allowing the party with the strongest incentive—the new attacher—to prepare the pole quickly by performing all of the work itself, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties.[7] This also covers areas such as overlashing.[8]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Seattle City Light

In the US, approximately 25 state legislators have enacted small cell legislation that streamlines the facilitation of these assets. These include applications to access public right of ways, caps on costs and fees and shot clocks for consideration and processing.

Policies

Utilities like CPS Energy (CPSE) have put in place a set of policies to follow that addresses best practices. They have established an Energy Pole Attachment Program to facilitate constructive dialog with attaching entities and to ensure transparency. “CPSE Standards provide for a non-discriminatory, consistent, and streamlined approach for the access and use of CPS Energy Poles in a manner that will facilitate the delivery of the variety of communication services offered today, as well as to assist with speed-to-market processes for future technologies in a manner that is consistent with the safe and reliable operation of CPS Energy Facilities.” And have a website (www.cpsenergy.com/poleattachments) for access to their pole attachment standard[9] to facilate this process.

Summary and Call to Action

The use of electric poles for placement of 5G mmWave small cells will happen. Electric utilities need to investigate, evaluate, and execute the following actions:

  • Fully understand the regulatory and legislative orders as they relate to One-Touch Make Ready (OTMR) requirements, shot clock and reduction of barriers.
  • Follow the local governance guides that may apply in states where there is a policy or rule.
  • Develop internal policies and practices that comply with these regulations.
  • Establish collaborative relationships with carriers and tower installation companies.
  • Maintain equality and transparency.
  • Seek ways to collaborate on needs and services (i.e. powering, access, and possible use of existing communications backhaul.

Acknowledgments

This article is a summation of work performed by EnerNex under a contract with Distribution Systems Testing, Application, and Research (DSTAR) which is a consortium of electric utilities, facilitated by GE’s Energy Consulting business (General Electric International, Inc.)sharing the results of distribution research. Throughout its more than 30+ year history, DSTAR has provided its member utilities with results that are directly applicable to everyday distribution design, planning, engineering, operations, and maintenance. The DSTAR model offers utilities a cost-effective and responsive way to address complex distributed energy challenges that require unique and innovative solutions. The members cooperatively fund research enabling each utility to get significant research and development value out of their individual contributions. For more information on DSTAR, visit www.dstar.org or www.geenergyconsulting.com.

About the Author: Ron Chebra is Vice-President Grid Modernization at EnerNex. He is a recognized thought leader and industry expert in utility modernization. Ron has deep operating knowledge of technology solutions in areas such as microgrids, battery energy storage, renewable energy integration, smart grid, distribution automation, advanced metering infrastructure, demand response and “Behind the Meter” technologies. He provides strategic consulting services to leading energy organizations and to industry suppliers of products and services. Ron is a frequent contributor to leading industry journals and has previously been the Chairman of the Smart Cities/IoT Track for DistribuTECH. Ron has over 35 years of experience, including previous positions with Verizon Enterprise Solutions, Schneider Electric and DNV GL.

[1] https://www.tdworld.com/grid-innovations/asset-management-service/article/20966434/duke-augments-reality

[2] https://www.tdworld.com/grid-innovations/asset-management-service

[3] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj-3qjJh63tAhUtGVkFHTGrARUQFjAAegQIBRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Fdocument%2Ffcc-announces-winning-bidders-35-ghz-band-auction&usg=AOvVaw3QNJzr0iG29WBh-GY_LbP1

[4] Alden-eBook “A Guide to Small Cell Technology for Joint Use Professionals”

[5] FCC-18-133A1

[6] Time-frame for an entity to respond to a wireless installation application.

[7] FCC 18-111A1

[8] Overlashing is the process of physically tying additional cables to the cables that are already attached to a utility pole. This practice could accommodate any additional strands of fiber or coaxial cable on existing pole attachments.

[9]https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/PoleAttachments/CPSE%20Pole%20Attachment%20Standards%20-%20Version%205%20-%20CPS%20Energy%2011-13-20.docx

Smart Metering (SM) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Smart Metering and AMI is a transformational process addressing multiple business and technical needs of the utility enterprise. This is more than just smart meters and communications networks; it includes all of the back end applications that can leverage the meter assets, such as outage notification, demand response, call center optimization, disputed billing process handling, pre-payment opportunities, and service connection management methods and procedures, to name a few.

Implementing SM and AMI faces the same business, engineering, and operational challenges as any other across-the-utility information technology endeavors – most notably risk associated with embracing proprietary technology, missing functionality and early obsolescence. Effective SM and AMI development, implementation, and operation relies on a marriage of electric power engineering with information technology expertise: a key component of EnerNex’s expertise and experience.

EnerNex provides an array of engineering and consulting services geared towards intelligent and effective implementation of SM and AMI. This covers all phases of project development, starting with capturing system requirements where our experts leverage a “Use Case” centric view of activities needed to be accomplished and their interaction with systems and other users. Subsequent project steps typically examine other critical areas, such as: modeling of business cases, building inter-department consensus, assembling and assessing system functional requirements and non-functional requirements, developing a system design, hardware and software specifications and standards, complete procurement services including RFI and RFQ process support, supplier rating system, response evaluation methodology, deployment management, and training of office and field personnel.

Demand Response (DR)

Demand response can be as simple as load interruption directed by the energy supplier in response to severe demand requirements, to complex customer defined load management in response to price signals. DR is one of the components of a “Non-Wires Alternative” that many utilities are effectively using to avoid expensive distribution fortification or upgrade.

 

Often the success and/or failure of demand response programs can be linked to program implementation challenges such as rate/tariff design rate structures communication (e.g. price signals) or ineffective incentives used by utilities to encourage customers to accept operational change. The issues of program design, rate structure and customer impact have a tremendous influence on the success or failure of load management initiatives. Demand response has traditionally been used as a tool of the energy industry to ensure system stability. However, the introduction of microelectronics, communications, home automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the development of cost effective solutions that have the capability to allow the consumer to take control of managing their energy load and ultimately, the price they pay for energy.

EnerNex has the experience and skills to turn your DR program into a successful operational asset and customer engagement process that can deliver value to all parties.

Energy Assurance Planning

Natural and man-made disasters cause an estimated $57B in average annual costs for all parties; large single events have resulted in losses of $100B or more. Events, such as the World Trade Center disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and most recently Hurricane Helene, have demonstrated an acute need to revisit, revise and implement an effective energy assurance plan. Energy assurance plans assess the functionality and interdependencies of buildings and infrastructure systems and the role they play in sustaining service and rapidly restoring critical services to a community following a hazard event.

 

EnerNex assists our clients in developing comprehensive energy assurance plans that mitigate and minimize the impact of energy disruptions. Our experts assess critical infrastructure risks and evaluate appropriate mitigation strategies and can help in developing an effective business continuity/disaster recovery (BC/DR) plan for utilities and your customers.

Microgrid Development

As the electric grid becomes more distributed and interactive, microgrids are playing an increasingly important role in our energy future. Decision makers at military bases, corporate and institutional campuses, residential communities and critical facilities across the world are exploring and implementing microgrids to meet economic, resiliency and environmental goals. Utility-grade microgrids are being deployed to meet transmission constraints, reliability requirements and safe-havens in the event of a significant storm event.

Microgrid_development Graphic steps to support grid modernization

Bringing together a portfolio of distributed energy resources into a controllable, islandable microgrid comes with its own set of challenges. The key to solving these challenges is in architecting a system to support information exchanges between components across well-defined points of interoperability (interfaces) in a technology independent manner. This interoperability ensures that the system is resilient to technology change. Modern systems engineering techniques must be employed to ensure that individual sub‐systems are clearly identified, their functions enumerated, their data requirements known, and the points of interoperability clearly specified, along with the commensurate monitoring, command and control that is needed to ensure grid stability. With such architecture, we can apply best of breed technology available today to support those information exchanges at interface boundaries but be free to upgrade / change the implementation technology later without causing a ripple effect throughout the system.

Enterprise Architecture

Enterprise Architecture focuses on aligning an organization’s business strategies with its anticipated, desired and planned technology enhancements. Enterprise Architecture provides a framework to cost-effectively transition from a current “as-is” technology to future enterprise-wide technological solutions. An effective Enterprise Architecture program aligns business investments with long-term business strategies while minimizing risk and providing superior technological solutions. EnerNex’s key asset is its highly skilled and experienced staff who are closely connected to both the smart grid and EA standards and practices. We provide clients with the insight necessary to operate a fully functioning smart grid, which is flexible, scalable, and vendor independent.

Grid Modernization Roadmap

Utility companies across the globe are continually modernizing their grid. Each company often has different rationales, objectives and priorities. Frequently, smart grid plans are developed for individual, incremental initiatives, rather than as a part of a whole, intelligent and interoperable infrastructure. Planning may be developed around technology choices rather than business and technical requirements. The result of incremental and flawed planning leads to increased cost and risk, lost opportunities, disconnected expectations and dead ends.

 

EnerNex’s approach to grid modernization roadmap development follows a proven, industry-standard approach to grid modernization planning by collaboratively working with the utility to develop a set of prioritized and time-phased grid modernization initiatives unique to its business strategy and objectives. The roadmap developed is holistic, requirements-based, business value driven and actionable. It often builds on and leverages existing applications and infrastructure, and incorporates industry standards to ensure interoperability, flexibility and reduced cost and risk.

Utility Communications

Utility communication and control systems are increasingly interconnected to each other and to public networks and as a result, they are becoming increasingly more susceptible to disruptions and cyber attacks. EnerNex has experience with the various issues relating to development, implementation and optimization including feasibility analysis, design, software development and customization, project management and acceptance. Our expertise extends from being involved in the development of the fundamental standards that support utility communication and automation, through deployment and securing of those resources. EnerNex personnel were heavily involved in development of such standards and protocols as IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5 and DNp3. Our staff played a key role in the EPRI Utility Communication Architecture (UCA) project and the IntelliGrid Architecture effort.

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