Cognitive radio based Smart Grid Communication Network

Smart Grid (SG) is an evolution of conventional electricity grid, answering to the problems like electricity shortages, escalation in electricity prices, power quality issues and need for using environment friendly green energy resources. Key to attain this is design and deployment of a Smart Grid Communication Network (SGCN) that is not only reliable and secure but also fulfills the communication requirements. The purpose of this research article is to provide a detailed survey on SGCN in terms of communication network requirements, architecture, technologies and applications. Using a multi-layer approach of dividing the communication layer in to Home Area Network (HAN), Neighborhood Area Network (NAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN), this paper first discusses the communication requirements, followed by an overview of SG applications. Then a detailed comparison is given for current wired and wireless communication technologies along with new standards/technologies like Cognitive Radio (CR), Smart Utility Networks (SUNs) and TV White Spaces (TVWS) that are ideal for SG environment, followed by proposed CR based network architecture for SGCN and its salient features. The paper is then concluded by contributing some open issues, challenges and future directions.