Optical communications to the home with electric power?

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:192083

Hreinsson, E B

This paper addresses the issue whether it might be technically feasible and economically beneficial to combine the distribution of telecommunications and electricity to share almost unlimited bandwidth (and costs) and transmission capacity of fibers and satisfy the telecommunication needs of the electric power industry. Numerous new services can be offered through the future broadband network. Distributive video, on demand video, telephone service, computer communications, alarms, telemarketing, electronic banking etc, are examples. Generally however the only service which is known to generate considerable revenue beside POTS is the distribution of entertainment video. Many studies have been done from the perspective of Public Telephone Authorities (PTA`s) or Local Exchange Carriers (LEC`s) and CATV companies of the future broadband network. Separate studies have as well been done on the viability of optical communications within the power system. This paper addresses both perspectives on an equality basis. Although the traditional distribution automation (DA) needs may not be classified as broad band, optical fibers have been a very important subject of study, mainly due to their inherent immunity to electrical interference and large transmission bandwidth. Hence, huge extra transmission capacity is available to share, but institutional barriers have often prevented EDU`s from working with PTA/LEC`s. It is therefore, again, a logical question whether or not the 3 domains (telephone, TV, electric power) if working together to form a single broadband network, instead of 3 separate fiber optic networks, would not be in a stronger position to break the dilemma and establish a broadband network which would be supported by revenue and savings from comprehensive services in the three domains, perhaps with the addition to various computer communication related services.

• OSTI ID: 192083
• Report Number(s): CONF-940129--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL
INFORMATION
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
OPTICAL FIBERS
POWER DISTRIBUTION
POWER SYSTEMS