1. IEEE 802.21 MEDIA INDEPENDENT HANDOVER DCN: 21-10-0098-00-0000
Title: Smart Grid use cases
Date Submitted: May 11, 2010
Presented at IEEE session #38 in Bangalore
Authors or Source(s):
 Yoshihiro Ohba (Toshiba)
Abstract: This document describes possible use cases for MIH network management for Smart Grid

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3. Existing Mesh Usage in Smart Grid
There has been a use case that smart meters are connected to wireless backhaul networks
E.g., More than 2 million gas meters in some vendor in California are connected using RF mesh networks
In a near future mesh networks for gas and electric meters may be based on standard technologies such as , and mesh

4. Mesh Configuration Issue
A large number of low-cost mesh devices may be deployed for Smart Grid
Automated network configuration and re-configuration is a key for ease of deployment
Mesh network identification information
Mesh operation policies
Configuration may require unauthenticated network access with higher layer security
MIH IS with MIH-level security seems to meet this requirement, but
New configuration-related IEs may be needed
A mechanism to securely update IS database may be needed

5. Power-Saving Issue
Both mesh end devices and mesh relays may be battery operated in a large Smart Grid deployment
Power-saving is a key for totally being wire-free
Just using periodically multicast beacons may not be an efficient way to maintain neighbor relations
MIH IS may be useful to solve the issue, but is the current IS sufficient?

6. Heterogeneous Mesh Issue
A mesh network may be an inter-connection of sub-mesh networks of different link-layer technologies
or edge router with multiple radio interfaces may be connected to an sub-mesh network in the backhaul
Hosts may be connected to an or sub-mesh network or directly to sub-mesh network
Which sub-mesh network a host should be connect?
MIH may be needed to provide mesh network information to the host

7. Mobility Issue
End devices connected to Smart Grid may not only stationary devices but also mobile devices including automotives such as
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Electric Vehicle (EVs)
Automotives may support multiple link-layer technologies to increase chance of getting connected to Smart Grid
Automotives may be connected to a homogeneous or heterogeneous mesh network, and perform handover across different L2 technologies
Within a heterogeneous mesh network
Between two mesh networks
Between a non-mesh network and a mesh network
Is current MIH sufficient to support mesh handover?

8. Sleeping Node Support
Smart Grid may want to keep track of the location and status (active, sleeping, charging, etc.) of its end-devices for better control of demand and supply of energy resources
The end-devices may be in sleeping mode especially when they are battery operated
Such devices may be connected to a mesh network
MIH registration may be useful but does it support those sleeping devices?