The deployment of wireless networks in high voltage substations: A feasibility study

The use of wireless technologies in high voltage environments is increasing with the growing need for monitoring and preventive maintenance in electricity utilities. The feasibility of deploying wireless technologies in high voltage environments such as substations is addressed in this paper. High voltage substations are different from common area due to the presence of many metallic structures causing multiple reflexions, diffractions and scattering. The simulations are performed using realistic substations representation and up-to-date radio equipments specifications. The propagation coverage and the maximum throughput achievable are presented for three wireless technologies, WiFi, WiMAX and 900 MHz systems. The simulation results are discussed and some recommendations are given. Note that the impact of impulsive noise such as partial discharges is not addressed in this paper which only focuses on the evaluation of wireless systems under specific multipath scenario of substations.