5G Communications as "Enabler" for Smart Power Grids - The Case of the Smart5Grid Project.

The fast 5G deployment at global level influences a variety of vertical sectors and offers many opportunities for growth and innovation, drastically affecting modern economies. Among the major sectors where significant benefits are expected is the case of smart grid, where the management of energy demand is expected to become more efficient, leading to less investments. 5G inclusion and adaptation in smart grid will allow easier balance of energy load and reduction of electricity peaks, together with savings of energy cost. In the present work we introduce the innovative scope proposed by the Smart5Grid research project, aiming to complement contemporary energy distribution grids with access to 5G network resources through an open experimentation 5G platform and innovative Network Applications (NetApps). Smart5Grid administers four meaningful use cases for the energy vertical ecosystem, in order to demonstrate efficiency, resilience and elasticity provided by the 5G networks. In particular, each one among these use cases is presented and assessed as of its expected benefits and proposed novelties, based on the corresponding demonstration actions.