SLICENET: 5G Self-Healing Smart Grid

5G Context

Automated distribution with self-healing solutions is a critical challenge to tackle in the transformational evolution towards a Smarter Grid. 4G cannot meet the chellenging communication requirements for smart grid applications. 

SliceNet sets out to tackle this challenge with its 5G framework, which enables dynamic slicing for the smart grid. 

Goals of the Pilot

The goal of the SliceNet 5G Smart Grid pilot is to improve electrical power grid Fault Detection Isolation and Restoration (FDIR), thereby reducing frequency and duration of power outages.

The pilot focuses on fully decentralised high-speed self -healing solutions for the electrical power grid, based on 5G communications.

These self-healing solutions rely on distributed automation and power system protection. This will increase energy supply Quality of Service (QoS) by reducing the number of customers affected by power outages, as well as the frequency and duration of these outages.

Timely, reliable and secure communications are crucial in this SliceNet vertical application. 

The following ITU 5G functionalities are targeted: 5G multi-domain communication infrastructure and customised network slices facilitating this mission-critical use case with ultra-reliability, ultra-low latency and cyber-security support.

Architecture and Pilot Overview 

SliceNet features several scenarios for digital service (DSPs) and network service providers (NSPs), with a common architecture for slice management. The DSP scenario represents slice management at the most  abstract level in that the NSPs provide the service without the DSPs needing to know about the technical implementation and resources used. Hence, when composing an end-to-end (E2E) slice, the DSP is actually combining several services from other entities to create a Network Slice as a Service (NSaaS). 

The end-goal of the architecture is to give the DSP mechanisms for managing and controlling multiple services across multiple administrative domains. With such management and control in place, the DSP can compose an E2E network slice that permanently meets the requirements of the energy sector by using cognition-based mechanisms for the autonomous and proactive adjustments necessary to tackle predicted failures.

Slice Service Deployment

Provisioning E2E slices for an energy distributor owning a smart power grid with a network of active powerline protection devices (PPDs), communicating with each other, and a SCADA system for self-healing power distribution network. 

DSP providing the required communications network by composing an E2E slice using several network sub-slices from different NSPs. The sub-slices are chosen from several offers, based on availability, latency and other criteria.

NSP creating and offering the network sub-slices to the DSP based on the criteria required. 

Outcomes and Impacts

Contributing to the global competitiveness of European 5G systems through innovations for smart grids. 

Self-healing solutions helping to reduce the frequency and duration of outages through dynamic 5G slicing, with URLLC capabilities.

Self-healing solutions helping to improve grid reliability indicators, reducing the financial impacts for electrical power utility suppliers. 

The pilot includes an energy utility and telecommunications operator supplying the smart grid equipment and network infrastructure for the E2E network slice.

Using 5G URLLC capabilities, energy companies can implement the self-healing smart grid scenarios, lower costs and improve customer satisfaction by reducing the frequency and duration of outages to consumers.

Location: Aveiro/Porto (Portugal)

Date: Q4-2019

Vertical partner: EFACEC Power Solutions Group

Other partners involved: Altice Labs (PT); Catalunya University of Technology (ES); Cork Institute of Technology (IE); Creative Systems Engineering (GR); Dell EMC (IE); Ericsson Telecomunicazioni (IT); Eurecom (FR); Eurescom (DE; coordinator); IBM Israel Science and Technology Ltd (IL); Nextworks s.r.l. (IT); Orange France (FR); Orange Romania (RO); OTE (GR); RedZinc Service Ltd (IE); University of West Scotland (UK).

Website: https://slicenet.eu | @SliceNet_5G