Response Q1. A Secure Smart Meter could act as the Energy Consumption Data Interface to the residence and SMB. This places a requirement on the utility “network to meter” link to enable robust two-way communications, a throughput rate able to handle foreseen data traffic, a reduced latency over the whole network to allow for acceptable reaction times to consumer queries, and secure communications at every level (OSI) of the data exchange (and storage at the meter) to ensure confidentiality and control of user data.
One of the issues encountered with some legacy systems installed is that they rely on Network Master Keys for security at layer 2, an NMK is a shared key amongst all nodes within a network, so the presumption is that all nodes are secure and “friendly,” which cannot be guaranteed. More robust and secure communications links over the layers must be established.
One issue that comes under the term “security” but is not a means to keep something confidential, but the securing of data from deviation due to non-eliminated noise, must be addressed in the Smart Meter. As high a robustness as possible must be required so that data to the utility from the meter especially, as well as data from the utility to the meter or to the consumer, must be error free, otherwise billing and possible customer support issues will arise, adding overhead for the utility and frustration for the consumer.
Response Q2. The majority of US residences have broadband connections from either a Telco wireline Service Provider, a Cable company, or a wireless Service Provider. These links should be utilized for data delivery when a two-way link is not able to be established through the Smart Meter for any reason, or the utility may elect to use an Internet-based and secure means to access data and take advantage of a Service Provider’s broadband connection to avoid the additional ad hoc data demands consumers could place on the utility’s grid data infrastructure, especially during peak or times of grid stress.
Regardless, the data must be secured at all levels.
Response Q3.The Smart Meter interface to the HAN, either wireless or wired, is a relatively inexpensive additional expense to the utility. The meter would have a substantial amount of the anticipated data to be provided such as usage history for the last x periods, current cost per KWh, etc. This data, of course, must be kept encrypted in the meter memory.
The HAN interface should be based on a standard, an international standard. The selection of technologies to use for the interface will be varied, as there are many choices for wireless and wired data transport. Further, as the roll out of the Smart Meter and Smart Grid infrastructure will take some many years, a decision at this point on any specific technology, when certain new technologies are just coming to market, would be premature if these technologies were not considered and eventually selected.
The decision must not be for today but for the long term, as that is where the benefits of Smart Grid and Smart Meters will truly become effective as they are deployed and mature.
A case in point is the ITU-T G.9960 family of standards, commonly referred to G.hn. The performance, security, and robustness of this technology goes far beyond what is available on the market today, and what will be available from derivative “updated” versions that are due to arrive this year. Further, as the SDOs and nations of Europe look to the ITU for leadership in communications, they are ensuring that Smart Grid initiatives and coverage are part of the G.hn standard’s enhancements now being worked on at ITU-T.
To have a US selection that does not include a future-proof and widely sought standard such as G.hn would be possibly creating a technology “island” in the US, just as has occurred with negative side effects with several other technologies that were selected without consideration for what was used by the rest of the globe.
And, as stated above, the undetected error issue must be designed against to the highest possible degree. G.hn has the most robust error detection and correction as well as avoidance available today and versus any derivatives of legacy products that may come to market in the near future.
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