Implementation and Experimental Validation of a PLC-Based Infrastructure for Distributed Generation and Storage Systems Remote Management

This article presents new devices and communication architecture for monitoring and controlling distributed generation (DG) and energy storage systems (ESS) in a smart grid. Different communication means, including power line communications, and protocols are presented, which can be adopted for the distribution power system, where DG and ESS are usually connected. The new devices allow the distribution system operator (DSO) to remotely monitor all DGs and ESSs connected to a secondary substation and to remotely interact with each of them with Modbus commands. The proposed communication link was tested, measuring the communication latency, success rate, and bit error rate. Moreover, a test of the whole architecture was carried out, including the power converter and ESS. The results show how DSO can change the power flow, injecting or storing energy in a very short time, confirming the possible contribution of ESS to distribution network management and stability.