Toward Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Networks for Power Grid Control under Weather Disturbances

Abstract:
Wireless networks play a crucial role in enabling the exchange of control information between power grid nodes and the control room, due to their high scalability and costeffectiveness. They help ensure the reliable delivery of information, which is essential for the stable operation of power grids. However, terrestrial wireless ICT systems are often vulnerable to weather-induced disruptions, which can potentially compromise grid stability. To enhance communication resilience, this paper investigates a hybrid approach that augments terrestrial ICT systems with a non-terrestrial (satellite) network layer. The emergence of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology offers sufficiently low latency to support critical power grid applications. Although satellite links can also be affected by adverse weather conditions, integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial layers enhances overall system reliability. This paper examines the impact of weather disturbances on various hybrid network configurations and their associated parameters. The results demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach, particularly in terms of improved delay, connectivity and system capacity.