Novel scheme for reducing communication data traffic in advanced metering infrastructure networks

A smart grid uses automation and information communication technologies to guarantee its integrity. The first step of smart grid construction is the deployment of an advanced metering infrastructure system, which can read meter data automatically and maximize energy efficiency. Messages are collected at hubs distributed throughout the smart grid and sent through limited network resources. The advanced metering infrastructure system comprises a meter data management system, concentrators, relay stations between a set of smart meters and the control center, and smart meters that can collect the information of thousands of users. Concerns regarding this system are the loading on the control center, the volume of data traffic, and the quantity of the data. This study analyzes various situations of data traffic, uses Poisson process, and proposed two schemes to reduce the transmission frequency and the total data volume. A concentrator is determined to reduce the transmission frequency and compress the data from smart meters to the control center, thereby reducing the total data volume. Furthermore, the proposed scheme can reduce the loading on the control center.