A communication viewpoints of distributed energy resource

Smart Grid provides a flexible and powerful framework to integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DER). DER consisting of energy sources (such as renewable, conventional, storage) and loads. Based on application, there can be different modes of operating. It can operate in parallel with, or independently from, the main grid. Because of social, economic, and environmental benefits, the demands of DER system is increasing gradually. Combination of DERs and Loads with control units forms a miniature grid which is known as Microgrid. Integrating of DERs to the Microgrid system has two aspects: electrical and communication. Electrical integration has their own challenges which are addressed in IEEE 1547 standard. However, challenges related to communication and information integration of multi vendor DERs system is still open. Currently, IEC 61850-7-420 is the only standard which defines information model for DERs, but it is not completely accepted by DER manufacturers. On the other side, IEC 61850 mapped communication protocols like MMS, GOSSE, DNP3 etc. are substation protocols and may not suitable to fulfill DERs to DERs communication demands. In this paper, we provide an overview of Smart Grid conceptual framework and highlight DER scope. We discuss DER system components, various applications and required communication features. We review IEC 61850 mapped communication protocol MMS and identify the limitation for using in DERs communication. © 2018, Springer International Publishing AG.