ComEd's Journey to Deploy Initial PLTE Sites

In support of clean energy and grid modernization goals, ComEd has invested in an advanced communications infrastructure to provide a high speed, high bandwidth, secure, redundant, and resilient network for use-case enablement. Initial deployment included fiber optics communication to support backbone and distribution networks. As ComEd continues to refine its advanced communications deployment strategy, recent recognition of the capabilities of LTE networks for electric utilities can help to alleviate some of the challenges seen in a fiber deployment plan. The opportunity to review Private LTE (pLTE) as another option becomes valuable in supporting many of the use-cases identified for fiber optics as well as additional ones not previously discovered.

Having validated use-cases through lab and field tests and made key decisions in deployment strategy, ComEd seeks to begin implementing pLTE into its hybrid network buildout. This session will present on ComEd's experience in its initial pLTE deployment including business use-case drivers, lessons learned, and program strategy. Additionally, we will highlight the considerations and steps it took to select tower locations, initial use-case devices, design aspects of the core equipment, and project/program management planning.