Known as the G.hnem specification, the standards have entered their final stage of approval with the standards body, and when ratified, will support the monitoring of smart grid applications such as distribution automation, smart meters and smart appliances, as well as advanced recharging systems for electric vehicles.
The idea behind the proposed standards - G.9955 and G.9956 - Infosecurity notes, is that power-driven systems of all types will use their power lines to carry a full-duplex data communications channel that can signal a variety of supervisory and diagnostic data.
In theory, at least, this will make so-called energy smart grids capable of automatically self-healing in the event of a problem, and increase the resiliency of national plus local power networks, right down to the individual home or office.
Delving into the technical specifications for the proposed standard, reveals that the standard supports several smart grid applications such as distribution automation, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), demand side management (DSM), grid-to-home communications, home/building energy management and home/office automation.
Interestingly, the specification also seems to be designed with mobile smart energy systems in mind, as the proposed standard supports vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-charging station communications.
According to the ITU, in a standard power system, the generation, delivery and consumption of electricity all take place at the same time.
This, says the standards body, makes the control of supply and demand uniquely challenging - which is where the proposed standards come in, as they provide the crucial link between electricity and communications networks, allowing utilities to exercise a much higher level of monitoring and control of the grid.
Commenting on the proposed standards, Malcolm Johnson, the director of the ITU's telecommunication standardisation bureau, said that many national stimulus plans have given smart grid significant backing, with the need for standards also cited as key to the fast rollout of the technology.
"The G.hnem standards now entering the final stages of approval can be applied globally today, and are ready to give a much needed boost to power line communications technology, making electricity distribution cleaner, leaner and greener", he said.