Cognitive radio sensor networks: Smart communication for smart grids—A case study of Pakistan

A smart grid has recently gained significant attention as it is an important direction of power system advancement. The integration of renewable energy (RE) resources to the power system and the reduction of energy losses need an efficient and low-cost communication infrastructure. Cognitive radio sensor networks (CRSN) can be integrated in a smart grid to meet these challenges. CRSN is a new paradigm of research where the best of wireless sensor networks (WSN) and cognitive radios (CR) is combined. The sensor networks monitor a physical parameter and the measures value is transmitted using the cognitive radio. Thus, CRSN can be used for realizing the sensing and communication part in a smart grid network. In this paper, a smart grid network is proposed using CRSN for implementing it in the remote areas of Pakistan. The service coverage map is taken from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) website that regulates the spectrum band in Pakistan. This can be used in developing countries to realize a cost effective smart grid for integrating the renewable resources and for reducing energy losses.