2012 - IEEE SmartGridComm Symposium on Smart Grid Communication Networks

A smart grid is an umbrella concept for multiple emerging technologies and architectures for electricity distribution and consumption. A common ingredient is that the energy flow has an information flow associated with it, resulting in automated and widely distributed energy delivery network that enables integration, effective cooperation, and information interchange among the many interconnected elements of the electric power grid. From the viewpoint of a communication engineer, smart grid is an instance of a network that enables machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, with very high requirements in terms of dependability (availability and reliability) and security. The starting point for building a smart grid communication network can be found in a multitude of wired and wireless communication protocols, supporting differentiated quality of service, multiple levels of redundancy, multicast operation, etc. A major research effort is required to integrate these protocols into a versatile networking technology that can support a wide variety of smart grid applications ranging from demand response, smart metering, distribution and automation, to micro-grid management. The research community should provide innovative insights and solutions in order to meet the performance requirements in terms of scalability, heterogeneity, resilience, dependability and adaptability, needed in a variety of smart grid operating environments.

This Smart Grid Communication Networks symposium has an objective to identify communication requirements in various grid applications, introduce suitable communication models and performance indicators, as well as investigate architectures and algorithms for meeting those requirements.
Topics of Particular Interest

Original papers are welcome on (but not limited to) the following aspects of networking for Smart Grid:
Physical and MAC Layer Protocols
Interference Assessment and Mitigation
Capacity Planning and Resource Allocation
Modelling and Performance Analysis
Measurement Data from Testbeds and Field Trials
Cross-layer Optimization
Congestion and Admission Control
Multi-hop Communication and Mesh Networking
Scalable System Architecture (FAN, HAN, NAN and BAN)
Lightweight IP Networking Stacks for Constrained Devices
Low Power Link Layer Technologies (PLC and Wireless)
6LoWPAN
Routing Issues in Low Power and Lossy Networks
Resource and Service Discovery
Communication Protocols Optimized for Control Applications
Security, Trust and Privacy of Smart Grid Devices and Services
Internetworking Protocols and Mechanisms