Information Transmission over the Distribution Network

The needs (transmission speed and number of commands) of electricity supply authorities for an information transmission system are analysed and the possible information carriers (radio, telephone network, pilot wires and signals superimposed on the mains) discussed. The distribution network is described by a propagation and a noise model from which the characteristics of a mains bidirectional transmission system are derived. The economics of load control are briefly outlined and examples (water heater, direct heating, air-conditioning) are given. The constraints due to automatic meter reading on such a system are shown and an alternative to AMR is suggested.