Smart metering communication performance analysis in EDP Distribuição

Abstract

Nowadays, electrical meters have been increasing its importance in the power distribution system and the research efforts are mainly focused on the development of Smart Metering. This application requires the use of communication technologies to access to a large number of point of supplies, covering the low voltage segment assuring the best cost–benefit ratio. In Portugal, the smart grid is expanding to several cities and EDP Distribuição is committed about to improve its communication performance with smart meters. This paper aims to analyze the behavior of different communication technologies based on the knowledge gathered on real field.