Barriers and recommendations for enabling ICT based intra-grid control applications in smart grids

Voltage control, grid reconfiguration and adaptive protection are three representative intra-grid control applications that are relevant in the context of smart grids which is characterized by the presence of bi-directional power flow due to the presence of distributed generation. These applications will lead to an efficient electric power grid. The implementation of the three control applications requires ICT. This paper identifies the technical and non-technical barriers, which are present in today's ICT, that impede the implementation of the three control applications. The technical barriers are ranked based on their severity in impeding implementation of the three control applications. The paper also provides the recommendations that will help in overcoming those barriers.