Nokia Bell Labs Utility of a Future Perspective White Paper
We formalize a retail energy market architecture that will support real-time energy transactions using blockchains to facilitate their execution. Widespread automation, use of data analytics to support new utility applications, and use of augmented intelligence systems by field personnel will transform utility operations. Utility communication networks will undergo transformative changes through the deployment of new devices and the adoption of virtualization, edge clouds, and network slicing. We characterize how the changes in utility applications, such as demand response, distribution system synchrophasors, and utility workforce operations will be addressed with the evolution of digital platform and the future utility communications network architecture. Finally, we include a business model for the utility of the future.