Communication technologies for the smart grid - a short review and a case-study analysis

Avdaković, Samir (author), Muftić Dedović, Maja (author), Hasković, Emina (author), Jašarević, Zakira (author)

The rapid development of power systems requires an advancement of smart grids, to enable a more efficient management of power generation, distribution, and consumption, as well as an integration of a greater number of renewable energy sources. The key role in the functioning of these systems is played by the communication infrastructure which ensures a reliable, interoperable, and scalable data exchange across all levels of the network, from the end users to the central control system. The paper provides an overview of the modern communication technologies used in smart grids and analyzes their characteristics and application across the HAN, NAN, FAN, and WAN layers, and ultimately, the storage of the power network data to predict various variables related to the power consumption management, power system control, etc. A special emphasis is placed on selecting optimal technologies in accordance with the current infrastructural capabilities and technical requirements. It discusses a potential application of the communication technologies in future smart grids. Results for a segment of a real-world power system are presented, including measurements of photovoltaic power plant production and consumption, implemented communication technologies, and available data. The research results highlight the importance of choosing appropriate communication technologies for future smart grids. The data which is available, accessible, scattered across different databases can serve as a solid foundation for a significant improvement of the existing power systems

• Language: English
• Keywords: smart grid, communication technologies, communication networks architectures, AI techniques
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 86-96
• Numbering: Letn. 92, št. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-183258
• UDC: 004.8:621.39
• ISSN on article: 0013-5852
• COBISS.SI-ID: 280410627
• Publication date in RUL: 09.06.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Elektrotehniški vestnik
• Publisher: Strokovna zadruga koncesijoniranih elektrotehnikov, Elektrotehniška zveza Slovenije
• ISSN: 0013-5852
• COBISS.SI-ID: 742916

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Komunikacijske tehnologije za pametna omrežja-kratek pregled in študija primera

Abstract

Razvoj elektroenergetskih sistemov zahteva napredna pametna omrežja za ucinkovitejše upravljanje energije in vklju ˇ cevanje ˇ obnovljivih virov. Kljucno vlogo ima komunikacijska infras- ˇ truktura, ki omogoca zanesljivo in razširljivo izmenjavo po- ˇ datkov med uporabniki in nadzornim sistemom. Prispevek podaja pregled sodobnih komunikacijskih tehnologij za pametna omrežja ter njihovo uporabo na ravneh HAN, NAN, FAN in WAN. Analizira se tudi shranjevanje podatkov za napovedovanje porabe in nadzor sistema, pri cemer je poudarek na ˇ izbiri tehnologij glede na tehnicne zmožnosti. Predstavljena je ˇ študija primera dejanskega sistema s podatki o proizvodnji in porabi fotonapetostne elektrarne ter uporabljenih tehnologijah. Rezultati poudarjajo pomen pravilne izbire komunikacijskih rešitev za prihodnji razvoj pametnih omrežij.

• Keywords: elektroenergetski sistemi, obnovljivi viri energije, komunikacijska infrastruktura, nadzorni sistem, pametna omrežja