Satellite based communication network for large scale power system applications

Abstract

With the advent of modern day satellite technology, the electric utility industry is exploring opportunities to expand applications that can be served from space-based platforms. Traditionally, in the electric power industry the use of satellite-based technology is seen in many aspects of wide-area management -- weather satellites are used to provide information on demand and to thus, lower the probability of blackouts or brownouts; GPS satellites are used for system control by providing synchronized measurements; and Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites are being investigated for communication of the power system measurements with the desire to improve reliability and provide global coverage with low data latency. These LEO satellites are typically 500 -1500 km above the Earth's surface. The integration of satellite technology into power system operations is emerging now due not only to the large coverage area available from space, improvements in satellite reliability, and lower data-latency, but also the advent of lower cost small satellite buses. Today, satellite applications for power systems are an active area of research in such areas as wide area measurement, control, and communication.