S A Proposed Secure Network Model for Implementing Smart Grid Applications in Ghana

Abstract— Advocates of Smart Grid networks implementation in Ghana believe that Smart Grids will deliver a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy for future generations of Ghanaian consumers. It is also believed that Smart Grids would underlie much of the infrastructure which makes everyday life possible. In order to realize this dream, an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) telemetry system has been used to deploy pilot Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks in the urban centres of Accra and Tema as a starting point in implementing a full nationwide Smart Grid Network for the energy generation and distribution sectors of the country. Evaluation of the deployed pilot network showed that the limited coverage range of the UHF system inhibits a full nationwide deployment. The evaluation also found serious security vulnerabilities in the deployed SCADA model. In order to achieve the aim of deploying a secure and ubiquitous intelligent SCADA network which serves as the data processing and collection infrastructure in a Smart Grid network, this paper has proposed a secure SCADA model using WiMAX technology to help improve the efficiency of current energy production, management and distribution sectors of the economy.