A Review of Communication Technologies for Efficient Communication in the Smart Grid of the 4IR Era

Abstract

The conventional radial topology of the electrical power system poses a less reliable power system should there be system failure, thus, resulting into the disruption of electrical power delivery in the network. Increased security threats, theft of electrical energy, and current technological advancements in the information and communications technology (ICT) are factors that ushered in the advent of Smart Grid (SG). The SG, is a modernized electrical grid that utilizes digital or analog ICT to collect and take action on information in an automated fashion to enhance the reliability, efficiency, economics, and sustainability of electricity generation and distribution. For accurate functionality, the SG system has different subsystems, amongst which is the communication subsystem. This subsystem plays an essential role in providing high-speed, reliable and secured real-time transfer and communication of data amongst system devices and other sub-systems interconnected in the SG network so as to effectively and intelligently manage the complex power systems. This paper reviews communication technologies (wired and wireless), that are strong prospects for deployment in a SG, while also highlighting their benefits and challenges.