New project: Z-NET
At the recent call of SFOE Grid program, 7 out of 9 approved projects were from SCCER-FURIES partners. This summer series of news will be dedicated to the short description of these projects.
Z-NET Pre normalisation of grid impedance measurement in the power line communication frequency band
Project partner: HES-SO VS (D. Roggo), METAS (J.-P. Braun), SIG, Schaffner EMV, Camille Bauer AG, SAK, LEM IP SA
Project duration: 01.10.2018–31.12.2020
SFOE Funding: CHF 200’000
Description: The large scale deployment of smart meters that is about to take place in Switzerland relies heavily on the usage of power line carrier technology for its communication. On top of various interferences, the frequency dependent impedance of the low voltage network greatly influences the propagation the power line signals and can thus impact the reliability of the communication channel. The precise measure of the line impedance is presently ill defined and only possible with some experimental instruments. Furthermore, the variousproposed methods tend to yield non comparable results. The aim of this project, is to establish a metrological traceable grid impedance standard that enables the objective comparison of the proposed measurement techniques and open the road towards standardisation. The normalisationof an agreed upon measurement method should lead to the apparition of instruments and grid connected components permitting the resolution of power line communication problems for difficult locations.
SFOE Grid Programme