ELEKTROTEHNIŠKI VESTNIK 80(5): 245-250, 2013 ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER Intelligent monitoring of power networks – system architecture and communication network infrastructure Mitja Kolenc 1, † , Eloy Gonzalez Ortega 2 , Faysal Basci 3 , Jurij F. Tasič 1 and Matej Zajc 1 1 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 2 Indra Software Labs, C/Acanto 11, 28045 Madrid, Spain 3 LNL Technology, ODTU Teknokent Gumus Bloklar No.6, 06531 Ankara, Turkey † E-mail: mitja.kolenc@ldos.fe.uni-lj.si Abstract. The paper presents the system architecture and communication network infrastructure of the Intelligent Monitoring of POwer NETworks (IMPONET) project. The main objectives of the project were development of a communication platform for handling network devices with bidirectional communication and real-time management of the energy data together with new services to control the quality of electric signals. The IMPONET platform was validated through acquisition and processing of the energy-data experimental scenarios. The obtained results show that the proposed platform is capable of real-time data exchange and raw-energy data processing from multiple data concentrator devices and smart metering devices. Key words: smart grids, intelligent power network monitoring, system architecture, communication infrastructure, communication components. Inteligentni nadzor električnih omrežij – sistemska arhitektura in omrežna komunikacijska infrastruktura Članek predstavlja sistemsko arhitekturo in komunikacijsko infrastrukturo IMPONET platforme za inteligentni nadzor električnih omrežij. Glavni cilji projekta so bili razvoj komunikacijske platforme za obvladovanje omrežnih naprav z dvosmerno komunikacijo za upravljanje podatkov iz pametnih števcev v realnem času ter novih storitev za nadzor kvalitete električne energije. IMPONET platforma je bila ovrednotena z eksperimentalnimi scenariji zajema in obdelave podatkov merilnikov električne energije. Rezultati potrjujejo, da predlagana platforma omogoča izmenjavo in obdelavo podatkov o porabi električne energije, zajetih iz več podatkovnih koncentratorjev in pametnih števcev v realnem času. 1 INTRODUCTION Smart Grids are the next generation power grids [1] enabling real-time two-way flows of electricity and information to create an automated and distributed advanced energy-delivery network. The fundamental component of the Smart Grid concept is a robust and dynamic communication infrastructure for real-time, two-way communications throughout the grid and interaction between producers and consumers. Nowadays, the power generation and distribution network utilities already have communication systems providing essential data and information exchange between devices. But these communication components need to evolve to support the new demand imposed on the power transmission and distribution networks. According to [2], very complex automation, distribution and control will be needed to integrate renewable energy sources, smart meters with bidirectional communication, electric vehicles, and future storage infrastructures. The main requirement these systems should meet will be the existence of a communication network capable of responding to their needs for capacity, price, reliability, flexibility, interoperability, multi-platform ability, priority, security and development. At the same time, Smart Grids represent a huge market for the electronics industry [3]. The notable worldwide Smart Grid research activities are Open Meter, EPRI–IECSA, Meters and More, Address, OpenNode, InovGrid and INTEGRIS [4]. They cover the relevant fields, e.g. power generation and distribution networks, communications, remote management and smart metering and represent the state- of-the-art technology and concepts developed to support the Smart Grid vision. The IMPONET project [5] is an industry-driven project focused on the strategic and technical requirements as demanded by the electricity markets worldwide regarding Smart Grids, smart metering, peak demand management, demand response and real-time monitoring. The focus of our project research and development activities was on three main areas: communication infrastructure, remote control and smart metering software platform, and power quality (PQ) services. The significance of the project was pronounced by being selected for the ITEA Award of Excellence 2013 in the category Seizing the High Grounds [6]. Received 30 October 2013 Accepted 2 December 2013