Radio ripple control (radio paging network)

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StromPager control box

The radio ripple control based on the radio paging network , also known as StromPager, is a system for load and feed management in the distribution networks of the power supply companies . As a networked controller, it forms a component of the intelligent power grid ( smart grid ). In Germany, the radio paging network ( Cityruf ) is used to transmit control commands . In contrast to classic radio ripple control technology based on long wave , pager radio ripple control works with frequencies in the UHF range at approx. 460  MHz .

motivation

The development of radio ripple control, based on the radio paging network, was promoted between 2011 and 2013 by the distribution network operator Stromnetz Berlin . The system has been generally available to distribution network operators and municipal utilities since mid-2015. The radio ripple control represents an alternative to the network-based audio frequency ripple control technology with a similar field of application, which is widespread in the West German federal states .

Working principle

Radio ripple control based on the radio paging network - schematic diagram

The overall system, which is marketed under the name "StromPager", essentially consists of four components:

  1. Master computer
  2. Communication and key / signature server
  3. Unidirectional communication via the radio paging network
  4. StromPager control boxes

The host computer can be implemented as an application on the network operator's hardware or as software as a service (SaaS). The task in both cases is the generation and parameterization of switching programs, the management of control box groups, the mapping of the current and programmed switching states and the remote parameterization of the control boxes.

The administration of addresses and access authorizations, the creation of the telegrams, including the cryptographic signature and the processing of the control receiver take place on the level of the communication server. These have a permanent connection to the communication server, e.g. B. via DSL . The control receivers are located at certain points within the network operator area. This enables direct control of the transmission.

The information is transmitted to the control boxes unidirectionally via the radio paging network. As a matter of principle, feedback is not possible via this communication channel. All transmissions are signed so that the authenticity of the messages can be clearly checked in the control boxes. The cryptography procedures used here correspond to the guidelines of the BSI , which z. B. can also be used for WAN communication of the smart meter gateways .

The task of the control boxes is to receive the radio call signal, to check the message signatures and to execute the switching programs. Current models of the StromPager control boxes have four potential-free relay outputs. This means that four independent consumers or, alternatively, one feeder can be controlled with a gradual reduction (0% - 30% - 60% - 100%).

advantages

The transmission power of the base stations in the radio paging network of 100 W means that the control boxes can also be easily reached in the basement of buildings.

The system has defined response times, regardless of the number of control boxes addressed at the same time. Network overloads due to unpredictable user activities, such as occur in the cellular networks of the telephone providers, are in principle excluded due to the unidirectional architecture. Buffering the base stations with batteries ensures communication even in the event of a power failure.

Thanks to the nationwide availability of the radio paging network with over 800 base stations, the system can be used without having to set up your own communication infrastructure.

disadvantage

Simultaneous use of the communication channel for feedback or for data transmission for the purpose of recording consumption data is not possible due to the unidirectional architecture of the radio paging network.

The use is currently limited to the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Control by radio. stadt + werk, June 23, 2015, accessed on November 3, 2016 .
  2. ↑ M. Herold: Communication in the intelligent power grid . In: netzpraxis . No. 09/2016 . EW Medien und Kongresse GmbH, September 16, 2016, ISSN  1611-0412 .

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