Smart Grid Architecture Evolutions December 2, 2010
SCE Smart Grid Vision SCE s vision of a smart grid is to develop and deploy a more reliable, secure, economic, efficient, safe and environmentallyfriendly electric system covering all facets of electricity from production through transmission, distribution, and its smart use in homes, businesses and vehicles. 2
California Climate & Energy Policies Most aggressive policies in the United States 3
Smart Grid Layered Architecture Principles Operational capabilities are supported by applications and common services Services are available to devices at the edge of the network and are event driven Communications design allows for connectivity across multiple network domains Security is end-to-end Architecture is supported by common semantic models and standards 4
Smart Grid Realization More increased capabilities More capabilities at the edge and enterprise, pervasive automation Better faster, more reliable & secure The electric grid is more resilient Dynamic control of all security elements allows the system to adapt to evolving threats Easier usability (convergence, unified control, visualization, information on demand) Tens of Millions of nodes are manageable Situational awareness Common Services allow for easier integration of new capabilities and technologies 5
SG System Architecture Challenges How do we ensure investments in SG technologies and systems today are able to participate in the SG architecture of tomorrow How do legacy systems participate in the SG architecture How do we manage the complexity of the system over time How do we represent an architecture trajectory that decision makers (policy makers, regulators etc.) can understand How do we represent an architecture that is actionable How do we relate the architecture to the emerging SG market and standards development efforts 6
Smart Grid System of Systems (SoS) Research Four evolutions of Smart Grid SoS Architectures Silos ESB Adapter-based Common Current-state Typical SI Approach DoD-style approach Standards based Internet-style 7
Smart Grid Architecture 1: Silos Architecture evolution 1 is the current-state for most utilities and is characterized by purpose built silos of functions, communication, security and operation. SCE tends to be between this architecture and evolution 2. Benefits Purpose built silos have more predictable scope and costs Easier to procure and manage Tend to align within operating or business units Clear operational and vendor support and accountability Complexity within the silo is reduced as long as boundaries are maintained and integration is minimized As long as few new capabilities are required silos may have a long-life Risks Typically designed to meet the minimum requirements needed Little or no reuse Vender dependence and lock-in Dedicated operational support for each silo Overwhelming costs and complexity to achieve cross-silo integration (i.e. data is duplicated and synched across silos Obsolescence of the silo is a major risk Scalability, flexibility and extensibility are major risks 8
Smart Grid Architecture 2: Enterprise Service Bus Architecture evolution 2 is a typical approach to Smart Grid design by many System Integration firms today and is also similar to where SCE is today. An ESB technology integrates back-office systems but forward deployed silos are maintained Benefits After initial ESB deployment, back-office integration is easier and less costly Reuse of technologies and code in the back office New capabilities are easier to enable as long as they are wholly-contained in the back-office Able to standardize interfaces in the backoffice making it easier to add or replace systems Back-office service oriented designs are achievable Risks Typically designed to meet the minimum requirements needed Device, communications, security and management silos still exist and carry most risks of architecture 1 While flexibility increases in the back office, the risk to scalability, performance and of obsolescence increase If ESB development and design discipline are not maintained, architecture 1 will continue using expensive integration technology 9
Smart Grid Architecture 3: Adapter-based Architecture evolution 3 has been the DoD s approach to System of Systems integration for over a decade. Sole-source adaptor proliferation can be an issue Benefits Common service and applications (security, network management can be made available to all elements in the system through adapters High-level of reuse and reduced operational complexity Scalable and unified architecture can reduce cost of adding new capabilities (platform not point solution) Adapters allow for legacy devices to participate in new architecture Risks The adapters are proprietary. Risk of a oneoff, non-standards based architecture. Adapters needed for both systems & devices Vendors must accept middleware code on all their devices to get value Vendor dependency and lock-in High development complexity Costs and scope can be unpredictable on initial implementation High organizational impact 10
Smart Grid Architecture 4: Common Services and Standards Based Architecture evolution 4 is a standards based, private internet style solution that requires vendors to adhere to standards to ensure interoperability and security Benefits Common services and applications are available to all elements in the system through standards compliance High-level of reuse and reduced operational and development complexity Standards-based provides for vendor and tool diversity Highly scalable and flexible Hardware and software adapters at the device can allow for legacy devices to participate the architecture The energy industry is heading in this direction Risks Smart Grid standards are not stable and vendor interpretation varies widely hence posing an interoperability risk and time to market risk No central or sustained vendor to do the systems integration work A high degree of architectural discipline is required to maintain the integrity of the architecture Some standards may require hardware acceleration to meet performance requirements High organizational impact 11
Our Unified Communication Architecture has Six Primary Network Domains Home Area Networks Inter-Utility Connects control rooms across the west includes ISO/RTOs Wide area situational awareness Low latency fiber SCENet2 Connects data and grid control centers to substations, devices and other network gateways Supports control, protection and measurement functions High speed Backbone Substation LAN Connect devices within the substation Supports control, protection and measurement functions Low latency network Field Area Networks Multi-tier wireless network supporting wireless broadband, protection, distribution automation, and AMI applications Deep situational awareness Base intelligent smart grid routers initially installed in substations Internet & Public Carrier Secure B2B connections to 3rd parties and customers to exchange energy related information Includes Internet, public carrier networks such as AT&T, Verizon, Cable and other networks such as On-star Non-critical monitoring Home Area Networks Customer s network Devices connect through many paths Devices receive signals, collect/send energy information Gateways exist to bridge diverse networks in the premise 12
SCENet2 (High-speed backbone network) Virtualization approach 13
WASAS System Design Views logical 14
For more information on SCE s Smart Grid strategy, news, and updates, go to: www.sce.com/smartgrid 15