Web-Based Smart Grid Network Analytics Framework

As utilities across the globe continue to deploy Smart Grid technology, there is an immediate and growing need for analytics, diagnostics and forensics tools akin to those commonly employed in enterprise IP networks to provide visibility and situational awareness into the operation, security and performance of Smart Energy Networks. Large-scale Smart Grid deployments have raced ahead of mature management tools, leaving gaps and challenges for operators and asset owners. Proprietary Smart Grid solutions have added to the challenge. This paper reports on the research and development of a new vendor-neutral, packet-based, network analytics tool called MeshView that abstracts information about system operation from low-level packet detail and visualizes endpoint and network behavior of wireless Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Distribution Automation, and SCADA field networks. Using real utility use cases, we report on the challenges and resulting solutions in the software design, development and Web usability of the framework, which is currently in use by several utilities.