The ability of utilities to effectively manage what’s happening at the grid edge depends on sophisticated controls, software, and analytics programs. These systems rely on fast, secure, standardized communications protocols to transmit data between the assets on the grid and the tools used to monitor and control them. Using one protocol to unite and align these assets and their control systems would be highly beneficial, as the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of what’s being communicated isn’t lost in translation when everything is speaking the same language.
But landing on what that common protocol should be is tricky. Does one go with a tried-and-true (but dated) protocol in place today, or place one’s bets on a newly emerging protocol designed with today’s grid complexity in mind?
Wondering the same thing, we asked Guidehouse to research common protocols in use today. Their resulting white paper provides an overview of networking protocols used in DER integration and discusses the pros and cons of each. It also highlights the features necessary for an effective, futureproof protocol to become standard in the industry.
Learn what they discovered in the white paper: Selecting a Futureproof Electric Power Communications Protocol
