Time Synchronization Techniques in the Modern Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey

Yu Liu; Biao Sun; Yuru Wu; Yongxin Zhang; Jiahui Yang; Wen Wang; Naga Lakshmi Thotakura; Qian Liu; Yilu Liu

doi:10.3390/en18051163

Time Synchronization Techniques in the Modern Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey

Yu Liu, Biao Sun, Yuru Wu, Yongxin Zhang, Jiahui Yang, Wen Wang, Naga Lakshmi Thotakura, Qian Liu, Yilu Liu

Grid-Interactive Controls

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

In modern smart grids, accurate and synchronized time signals are essential for effective monitoring, protection, and control. Various time synchronization methods exist, each tailored to specific application needs. Widely adopted solutions, such as GPS, however, are vulnerable to challenges such as signal loss and cyber-attacks, underscoring the need for reliable backup or supplementary solutions. This paper examines the timing requirements across different power grid applications and provides a comprehensive review of available time synchronization mechanisms. Through a comparative analysis of timing methods based on accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and security, this study offers insights to guide the selection of optimal solutions for seamless grid integration.

Original language	English
Article number	1163
Journal	Energies
Volume	18
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051163
State	Published - Mar 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF Award Number EEC-1920025.

Keywords

comparison
mechanism
smart grid
time distribution
time source
time synchronization

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10.3390/en18051163

Cite this

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title = "Time Synchronization Techniques in the Modern Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey",

abstract = "In modern smart grids, accurate and synchronized time signals are essential for effective monitoring, protection, and control. Various time synchronization methods exist, each tailored to specific application needs. Widely adopted solutions, such as GPS, however, are vulnerable to challenges such as signal loss and cyber-attacks, underscoring the need for reliable backup or supplementary solutions. This paper examines the timing requirements across different power grid applications and provides a comprehensive review of available time synchronization mechanisms. Through a comparative analysis of timing methods based on accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and security, this study offers insights to guide the selection of optimal solutions for seamless grid integration.",

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AU - Liu, Yu

AU - Sun, Biao

AU - Wu, Yuru

AU - Zhang, Yongxin

AU - Yang, Jiahui

AU - Wang, Wen

AU - Thotakura, Naga Lakshmi

AU - Liu, Qian

AU - Liu, Yilu

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N2 - In modern smart grids, accurate and synchronized time signals are essential for effective monitoring, protection, and control. Various time synchronization methods exist, each tailored to specific application needs. Widely adopted solutions, such as GPS, however, are vulnerable to challenges such as signal loss and cyber-attacks, underscoring the need for reliable backup or supplementary solutions. This paper examines the timing requirements across different power grid applications and provides a comprehensive review of available time synchronization mechanisms. Through a comparative analysis of timing methods based on accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and security, this study offers insights to guide the selection of optimal solutions for seamless grid integration.

AB - In modern smart grids, accurate and synchronized time signals are essential for effective monitoring, protection, and control. Various time synchronization methods exist, each tailored to specific application needs. Widely adopted solutions, such as GPS, however, are vulnerable to challenges such as signal loss and cyber-attacks, underscoring the need for reliable backup or supplementary solutions. This paper examines the timing requirements across different power grid applications and provides a comprehensive review of available time synchronization mechanisms. Through a comparative analysis of timing methods based on accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and security, this study offers insights to guide the selection of optimal solutions for seamless grid integration.

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KW - mechanism

KW - smart grid

KW - time distribution

KW - time source

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JO - Energies

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Time Synchronization Techniques in the Modern Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey

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