A Standardized and Flexible IPv6 Architecture for Field Area Networks: Smart-Grid Last-Mile Infrastructure

Last update: January 2014 This paper is intended to provide a synthetic and holistic view of open-standards-based Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) architecture for smart-grid last-mile infrastructures in support of a number of advanced smart-grid applications (meter readout, demand-response, telemetry, and grid monitoring and automation) and its benefit as a true multiservice platform. In this paper, we show how the various building blocks of IPv6 networking infrastructure can provide an efficient, flexible, highly secure, and multiservice network based on open standards. This paper does not address transition paths for electric utilities that deal with such issues as legacy devices, network and application integration, and the operation of hybrid network structures during transitional rollouts.