Broadband over Power Line BPL SDG

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Broadband over Power Line (BPL) SDGE Pilot
ProgramCTA Workshop New Alternative
Broadband
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Broadband Over Power Line (BPL)

•   Topics
• What is BPL?
• BPL Regulatory Issues
• SDGE BPL Pilot Program

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What is BPL?

• BPL communications sends radio signals in the
  2-80MHz band across existing distribution power
  lines medium voltage (12kV) and low voltage
  (120/240v) .
• A typical BPL system consists of four basic
  functions
• The injector is used to put the Internet Protocol
  signal onto the power line.
• The repeater is used to boost the signal another
  500 to 2000 ft.
• The extractor is used to take the Internet
  Protocol signal off the power line.
• The modem is used to transfer the Internet signal
  from the power outlet to the computer.
• Some BPL systems achieve these capabilities by
  other methods.

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Basic BPL System
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• Regulatory Issues

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The Potential that BPL Offers

• If the regulatory barriers are eliminated and the
  technology continues to mature, BPL offers
• The ability to monitor and control utility assets
  on the electric grid allowing for new Utility
  Applications.
• A new third wire alternative for retail
  broadband Internet service.

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Potential BPL Utility Applications

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• Distribution Automation
• Outage Location and Notification
• Fault Location
• Automate line sectionalizing devices (recloser
  and switches)
• Reactive Power VAR Control (control and
  monitoring of capacitors voltage)
• Diagnostic Monitoring
• Line Noise (EMI)
• Metering
• Losses and Theft
• Meter reading, turn-on/off
• Reduce existing network communication costs
• Communication
• Virtual Call Center
• Field Wireless Voice

• Operations Management
• Ship large data files maps and drawings
• Smart Infrastructure Asset Monitoring
• Asset Security Monitoring Remote Video
• Power Flow Profiles
• Load and Distributed Generation (DG) Management
• Demand Side Management
• Real Time Pricing
• Dynamic Transformer Loading
• DG Real Time Monitoring
• Customer Interface
• Automated Meter Reading
• Home Gateway
• Remote Connect and Disconnect
• Power Quality Monitoring
• Appliance Diagnostics
• SDGE.com universal access

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CPUC BPL Rulemaking

• CPUC OIR Summary Issued on 9/8/05
• Proposes to establish regulatory certainty to
  encourage electric utilities to deploy BPL
• Concludes that BPL projects should be financed
  only with shareholder and/or third party funds
  therefore all risks/rewards are borne by the
  shareholder or third party investors.
• Utilities have the right to decide who will
  install BPL on their systems, affiliates or third
  parties
• Draft Opinion issued on 2/10/06
• Comments due on 3/2/06
• Reply comment due on 3/7/06
• Potential vote soon thereafter

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•  BPL Pilot Program

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Pilot Purpose

• To gain first hand experience of the technology
  on the SDGE system and to evaluate its benefits
  for Utility Applications.
• Deployment timeline
• Training from vendor on 7/18/05
• Success on 9/1/05
• Connected the demo apartment to the SDGE
  network.
• Demonstrated potential Utility Applications
• Internet/Intranet connectivity
• Streaming video of SDGE commercial
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
• Meter reading/meter disconnect/meter connect
• IP Camera
• WiFi hot spot connections
• Communicate and control through SCADA RTU

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BPL Radio Frequency (RF) Interference

• Tested the network using Electric Power Research
  Institute (EPRI) standards
• Measured before after energizing the system
• Ensured pilot is in compliance with FCC Part 15
  rules
• Established working group of local community
  users of the high frequency (HF) band to document
  RF testing of the Pilot
• CA Office of Emergency Services
• ARRL (ham operators)
• San Diego Sheriff
• TV 6
• Time Warner Cable
• Integrated Microwave
• Vendor(s)

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Lessons Learned

• BPL works.
• Utility can benefit by utilizing network for
  Utility Applications.
• Underground BPL is a challenge due to distance
  limitations.
• BPL technology today requires a lot of pre post
  construction support.
• We are optimistic that future generations of BPL
  technology will evolve in this regard.

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Summary

• Safe and reliable energy delivery comes first.
• BPL is a maturing technology that we are seeking
  to understand by piloting the technology with
  multiple vendors.
• BPL may potentially be used as the communications
  solution for numerous Utility Applications.
• BPL offers a potential new alternative for
  broadband Internet services.
• The regulatory environment for BPL is very
  encouraging.
• It is imperative to have established sufficient
  regulatory certainty to encourage BPL deployment.

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U.S. BPL Deployment Map
Source UPLC, updated 2/3/06
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SDGE BPL Pilot

• Pictures of Construction

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Typical Overhead
Typical Overhead installation. The support holds
the coupler from moving during high winds and to
allow for control of the secondary wire and
ground from the coupler for protection of
personnel who may be working on the pole.
Overhead Coupler
Node
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Typical Pad Mount
Typical for pad mount transformer. Conduits are
installed to take the wires from the control box
to inside the transformer where the coupler
placed on the electric wires.
Node Attached to a single phase Transformer