A real-time cyber-physical testbed to assess protection system traffic over 5G networks
Challenge and objective
The fifth-generation (5G) mobile network promises to offer low latency services. Hence, there is interest in assessing various power distribution grid applications that can be deployed with a 5G infrastructure. However, as these systems are quite new, there is a lack of cyber physical testbeds and tools to assess the use of 5G for smart grid applications such as protection functions.
Work performed
A real-time cyber-physical testbed/co-simulation platform for analysing protection systems deployed in 5G networks is developed.
5G emulation based on open-source ns-3 (using 5G New Radio (NR) modules and 4G EPC) is developed.
Characterisation of the testbed using a case study.
Significant results
The performance of the testbed was evaluated by demonstrating a Permissive Underreaching Transfer Trip (PUTT) protection scheme utilising a 5G network and the evaluation of showed promising results.
Impact for distribution system innovation
The real-time testbed especially the network emulation using ns-3 is a low-cost solution that offers researchers in acadamia or industry, the ability to identify network challenges when testing performance of IEDs and protection schemes under 5G network conditions.
