In the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, researchers at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to integrate smart power grids (SPG) with smart city platforms, leveraging the power of massive machine-type communication (mMTC). Led by Luiz H. N. Rodrigues from the Electrical Engineering Department, this innovative research is set to revolutionize how we manage and distribute energy in urban environments.
The advent of Industry 5.0 has ushered in an era where intelligent devices are ubiquitous, with estimates suggesting around 50 billion devices connected via the Internet of Things (IoT) by the end of 2023. This digital revolution has significantly impacted the electrical power sector, introducing challenges such as the integration of distributed energy microgeneration, smart buildings, and smart meters. “The traditional energy customer is evolving into a ‘smart client’ and even a ‘smart prosumer,'” Rodrigues explains. “This shift demands a smarter grid that can handle the complexities of modern energy systems.”
The research, published in the journal ‘Sensors’ (translated from Portuguese to English), focuses on developing an architecture that utilizes LTE/EPC wireless technology (4G, 5G, and B5G) to enable machine-to-machine communication between SPG elements. This architecture leverages edge computing (MEC) resources and those of smart city platforms, creating a seamless integration that enhances data security and service quality.
The team at USP has developed an ICT laboratory structure within the Department of Electrical Engineering, which serves as a testing ground for this innovative approach. The laboratory employs a combination of real and emulated equipment to simulate the behavior of complex infrastructures, overcoming the limitations of traditional analytical solutions. “By using simulations and emulations, we can map the behavior of these infrastructures more accurately,” Rodrigues notes. “This allows us to test and validate the architecture’s functionalities in a controlled environment before deploying it in real-world scenarios.”
The integration of the power laboratory, network simulation (ns-3), and a smart city platform (InterSCity) has yielded preliminary results that are both promising and thought-provoking. The co-simulation approach not only enhances the interoperability of different systems but also paves the way for future developments in the field. As the demand for smart cities continues to grow, this research could shape the future of urban energy management, making it more efficient, reliable, and sustainable.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. By enabling smarter grids and more intelligent energy management, this research could lead to significant cost savings, improved service quality, and enhanced data security. As cities around the world strive to become smarter and more sustainable, the integration of smart power grids with smart city platforms will be crucial. The work being done at USP is at the forefront of this transformation, setting the stage for a future where energy management is seamless, efficient, and responsive to the needs of modern urban environments.
