Panasonic's Multi-hop HD-PLC Adopted as Smart Meter Communications System by Taiwan Power Company
Osaka, Japan -
Panasonic Corporation has successfully proposed adoption to Taiwan Power
Company of its HD-PLC1 high-speed power line communications technology as a
communications system to utilize next-generation smart meters.
Taiwan Power
Company began accepting proposals for technology relating to communications systems
in June 2017. Verification testing of the latest wireless technology and power
line communications technology was held in Taipei City in September of that
year. Smart meters will be introduced to approx. 260,000 households in main
cities of Taiwan from December 2018. The HD-PLC technology meets the high
performance criteria required, and smart meters incorporating this technology
will be introduced in Taipei and other areas.
Smart meters
require stable communications performance to achieve detailed controls matching
power demand with high-frequency data collection. The HD-PLC technology can
meet these requirements and is expected to contribute to building IoT
communications infrastructure for smart meters and smart city concepts to be
adopted worldwide in the future.
[Overview of the
verification testing]
The verification
testing at Taiwan Power Company conducted as follows.
- A data
collection rate of 99 % at 15 minute intervals was required to evaluate the
communications performance between the smart meters and the power company data
collection center.
- Evaluation of
smart meter installation conditions in various situations such as a case
installed under the eaves of detached houses, and a case of each meter
installed in a basement room for commercial buildings or condominiums.
The HD-PLC
technology conforms to the IEEE 19012 international standard as well as to
ITU-T G.9905 multi-hop technology for relay functions, allowing communication
of several Mbps over long distances. The testing verified that power lines
could transmit from middle and high voltage transformers placed on roads to
meters below buildings. A data collection rate of 100 % was achieved during the
testing period to successfully pass the test.
Panasonic will
continue to develop the HD-PLC technology while pursuing convenience for users
in order to realize a smart IoT society in the future. Panasonic is also
seeking to secure interconnectivity between products conforming to the IEEE
1901 through organizations such as the HD-PLC Alliance3, to provide globally
HD-PLC-equipped products that users can utilize in safety.
1. HD-PLC stands
for High Definition Power Line Communication, as advocated by Panasonic. This is
a trademark or a registered trademark in Japan and other nations.
2. A
standardization committee for communications standards under the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
3. Established on
September 25, 2007 with the aim of securing the expansion and communications
compatibility of HD-PLC.
Website:
http://www.hd-plc.org/