A Methodology for Modeling Interoperability of Smart Sensors in Smart Grids

Smart sensors in smart grids provide real-time data and status of bidirectional flows of energy for monitoring, protection, and control of grid operations to improve reliability and resilience. Smart sensor data interoperability is a major challenge for smart grids. This paper proposes a methodology for modeling interoperability of smart sensors in terms of interactions using labeled transition systems and finite state processes in order to quantitatively and automatically measure and assess the interoperability, identify and resolve interoperability issues, and improve interoperability. A generic interoperability model of synchronous message passing from a sender to a receiver is built based on the proposed methodology. A case study is provided to apply this methodology for modeling interoperability between the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers C37.118 phasor measurement unit-based smart sensors and phasor data concentrators. The interoperability model can be used for the quantitative and automated measurement and assessment of the interoperability of phasor measurement unit-based smart sensors and phasor data concentrators to address interoperability issues. This methodology can also be applied to modeling interoperability of smart sensors based on other standard communication protocols in order to achieve and assure sensor data interoperability in smart grids.