SOFTWARE-DEFINED ENERGY COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A Software-Defined Energy Communication Network (SDECN) comprising:
- a software-defined network (SDN) controller, communicatively coupled with a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), each IED configured to monitor and/or control grid components of an electrical power network in such a manner that manifests a set of power system requirements, the SDN controller configured to;
map the set of power system requirements to a set of communications network requirements; and
direct operation of the IEDs to monitor and/or control the electrical power network in accordance with the power system requirements by directing communications of the IEDs according to the communications network requirements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for software-defined approaches to energy communication networks (ECNs). For example, electrical substations typically host many Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) that monitor and/or control the state of the substations'"'"' electricity infrastructures. Critical data from the IEDs can be packaged and transmitted between multiple IEDs for proper system monitoring and control. Even modern networks that interconnect IEDs tend to manifest many limitations, ranging from setup complexity to security policies. Embodiments use novel software-defined networking techniques to address these and other limitations. In some embodiments, power system requirements (e.g., data and communications requirements of IEDs) are translated into a set of networking requirements (e.g., as central routing tables). One implementation uses a Ryu-based, software-defined network controller. Embodiments provide features, such as auto-configuration, security management, re-routing, and flexibility to handle rapid evolution of the smart grid.
93 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A Software-Defined Energy Communication Network (SDECN) comprising:
a software-defined network (SDN) controller, communicatively coupled with a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), each IED configured to monitor and/or control grid components of an electrical power network in such a manner that manifests a set of power system requirements, the SDN controller configured to; map the set of power system requirements to a set of communications network requirements; and direct operation of the IEDs to monitor and/or control the electrical power network in accordance with the power system requirements by directing communications of the IEDs according to the communications network requirements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for directing communications in a Software-Defined Energy Communication Network (SDECN), the method comprising:
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identifying a set of power system requirements as manifested by a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) configured to monitor and/or control grid components of an electrical power network; mapping the set of power system requirements to a set of communications network requirements; and directing, using a software-defined network (SDN) controller communicatively coupled with the plurality of IEDs, operation of the IEDs to monitor and/or control the electrical power network in accordance with the power system requirements by directing communications of the IEDs according to the communications network requirements. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A software-defined network (SDN) controller communicatively coupled with a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) configured to monitor and/or control grid components of an electrical power network, the SDN controller comprising:
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a set of processors; a non-transient, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the set of processors to; map a set of power system requirements to a set of communications network requirements, the set of power system requirements manifested by the plurality of IEDs according to the manner in which they monitor and/or control the grid components of the electrical power network; and direct operation of the IEDs to monitor and/or control the electrical power network in accordance with the power system requirements by directing communications of the IEDs according to the communications network requirements. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification