Wide Area Control Systems (WACS) Implementation Based on Sensor Network Concepts

Wide Area Control Systems (WACS) are introduced to respond to the real time control requirements of a smart grid. The control messages in smart grid can be of different levels of criticality. Therefore priority based routing, depending on criticality of messages, is very essential in control message communication. The topology of the system considered, involves control units connected to five buses in a smart micro grid. The performance metrics are identified and threshold values are fixed. Different communication technologies are simulated and the performance is compared. Multi hopping communication is established between the nodes and heterogeneous communication architecture is implemented. The need for dynamic routing protocol in the grid, as the traffic on the network changes over time, is also met. A communication scenario which dynamically routes the control message from central station to control units depending on priority, through the shortest path available, is identified here.