TY - JOUR
T1 - LoRa Enabled Smart Inverters for Microgrid Scenarios with Widespread Elements
AU - Arbab Zavar, Babak
AU - Garcia, Emilio Jose Palacios
AU - Vasquez, Juan C.
AU - Guerrero, Josep M.
PY - 2021/11/2
Y1 - 2021/11/2
N2 - The introduction of low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) has changed the image of smart systems, due to their wide coverage and low-power characteristics. This category of communication technologies is the perfect candidate to be integrated into smart inverter control architectures for remote microgrid (MG) applications. LoRaWAN is one of the leading LPWAN technologies, with some appealing features such as ease of implementation and the possibilityof creating private networks. This study is devoted to analyze and evaluate the aforementioned integration. Initially, the characteristics of different LPWAN technologies are introduced, followed by an in-depth analysis of LoRa and LoRaWAN. Next, the role of communication in MGs with widespread elements is explained. A point-by-point LoRa architecture is proposed to be implementedin the grid-feeding control structure of smart inverters. This architecture is experimentally evaluated in terms of latency analysis and externally generated power setpoint, following smart inverters in different LoRa settings. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LoRa architecture, while the settings are optimally configured. Finally, a hybrid communication system is proposed that can be effectively implemented for remote residential MG management.
AB - The introduction of low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) has changed the image of smart systems, due to their wide coverage and low-power characteristics. This category of communication technologies is the perfect candidate to be integrated into smart inverter control architectures for remote microgrid (MG) applications. LoRaWAN is one of the leading LPWAN technologies, with some appealing features such as ease of implementation and the possibilityof creating private networks. This study is devoted to analyze and evaluate the aforementioned integration. Initially, the characteristics of different LPWAN technologies are introduced, followed by an in-depth analysis of LoRa and LoRaWAN. Next, the role of communication in MGs with widespread elements is explained. A point-by-point LoRa architecture is proposed to be implementedin the grid-feeding control structure of smart inverters. This architecture is experimentally evaluated in terms of latency analysis and externally generated power setpoint, following smart inverters in different LoRa settings. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LoRa architecture, while the settings are optimally configured. Finally, a hybrid communication system is proposed that can be effectively implemented for remote residential MG management.
KW - IoT
KW - LoRa
KW - LoRaWAN
KW - Microgrid
KW - Smart inverter
KW - Wireless communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118279893&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/electronics10212680
DO - 10.3390/electronics10212680
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2079-9292
VL - 10
JO - Electronics
JF - Electronics
IS - 21
M1 - 2680
ER -