Network technologies play integral role in enabling smart grids

Network deployment and the substation
Substations and similar sites are incredibly important in supporting power delivery to local markets, but these efforts hinge on properly assessing energy demands in the local market and delivering resources to distribution systems in a timely fashion. This means that capacity data needs to make it both to and from transformer substations effectively. This can be challenging to establish because many utility-specific technologies have been built using serial connectivity options. Serial to Ethernet terminal servers can alleviate this problem by converting the signal as needed and ensuring smooth network connectivity in substations and similar environments.

Reaching distributed customer bases
Many utility providers serve a variety of communities, something that becomes difficult outside of metropolitan regions. In these more rural environments, towns can be separated by miles of land that are not densely populated, but that have sporadic homes or businesses that still need access to energy. Power lines need to be run between highly populated areas and to these scattered locations, but effectively monitoring this infrastructure is extremely difficult.

This is another area where data becomes invaluable because sensors can monitor conditions in the physical infrastructure and report back on any issues. However, running cable for such efforts can be a complex process. In many cases, the best option is to use fiber for long stretches and then install fiber to Ethernet media converters to integrate those fiber-based systems into the rest of the grid network.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyberassets in substations. The IOLAN SDS HV/LDC Terminal Server is designed to meet harsh environments associated with Power Substations with attributes such as support for substation AC and DC voltage ranges, extended operating temperatures and meeting emission, immunity and safety approvals associated with substation IT equipment.