LoRaWAN for Remote Monitoring Applications in the Smart Grid - A Utility Perspective

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) are essential for enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Utilities can use these networks to monitor critical remote assets, particularly in areas where mobile technology is neither power-efficient nor provides adequate connectivity. This paper addresses the use of Long Range (LoRa) Wide Area Networks (WAN) radio technology as an LPWAN solution for monitoring remote grid infrastructure. The study aims to evaluate the practical performance of the public LoRaWanfor a utility setting within the eThekwini Municipal Area. Specifically, it examines range performance (distance) and packet reception ratio (reliability) across different configurable parameters, such as spreading factor and transmit power. Methods involved testing LoRa technology at 11 geographically dispersed substations using a handheld Lo Ra unit. Test signals were transmitted at four power levels (2 dBm, 8 dBm, 14 dBm, and 20 dBm) for each spreading factor (7 to 12). The reliability of LoRa was further assessed by repeating the test 13 times at a single substation and analyzing the packet reception ratio (PRR). Key results demonstrate that communication distances of approximately 30 kilometres are achievable in an urban environment using the public network, with packet reception ratios varying based on configuration parameters. Overall, results indicate that LoRa technology is suitable for remote monitoring applications in the smart grid.