Distribution Substation and Feeder Automation:

It is generally applied to that element of the distribution system which operates at voltages
above
22 kV. Distribution substation and feeder automation also referred to as Primary Distribution
automation. Different functions of Primary Automation Techniue are listed below.
1) Transformer Load Balancing! Transformer load balance monitoring provides remote access
to
near real"time information concerning the overall operation of the distribution system. This
information can be used on a daily basis to verify the effects of other down line events such as
capacitor switching# residential load control# and recloser operations. It is also useful on a
periodic basis to fine tune the efficiency of the $tility%s power distribution configuration.
2) Voltage Regulation! This feature of DA& offers utility personnel the ability to reduce line
voltage during peak demand times by remotely taking control of the 'oad Tap (hanger. It also
facilitates the remotely boosting of line voltages above the local 'T( settings in case of
emergency situations such as back"feeding.
3) Fault solation and Sectionali!ing! )emote monitoring of the recloser operation to the
melting
of a fuse link# utilities can detect the fault very fast and can take uick action to clear that fault.
*ven during the outage of the power supplies distribution automation devices on that line can
report the data remotely. +y correlating the last voltage or current measured before an outage
from several points along the distribution system# an indication of the nature of the fault as well
as its appro,imate location can be obtained.
") Remote nterconnect S#itc$ing! Distribution automation systems can be deployed to drive
remotely interconnected switches that separate different portion of the utility distribution feeders.
+y the use of remote interconnect switching utilities can manipulate their distribution system to
provide the most efficient configuration and also will able to remotely restore power to as many
consumers as possible during the time of multiple faults.
%) &a'acitor Ban( S#itc$ing! It is most commonly deployed automation techniue in a
-
distribution network. The most cost effective capacitor control configuration is to install a
number of one"way receivers at the capacitor locations for positive control and to monitor the
aggregate effects of the capacitor switching at the substation low voltage level bus. $tilities with
capacitor bank switching facilities can operate with reduced losses and as a result with higher
efficiency.
)) Voltage *onitoring! +y monitoring the feeder voltage remotely utility personal gets advance
notification about the line voltage drop due to high usage. Also recorded data of feeder voltages
will give snapshot of the actual usage patterns.
&onsumer Location Automation:
(onsumer location is the most challenging application area for the distribution automation
system as large numbers of installation points are reuired and all the points should be
economically viable.
1) Load *anagement: 'oad management is achieved by local appliance control. It consists of
a
utility activated relay that interrupts the power consumed by non"critical loads such as water
heaters# air conditioners# electrical heaters# pool pumps# etc.
2) Automatic *eter Reading +A*R): .or utilities# A/) is one of the cost effective way to read
the residential kilowatt"hour meters. The A/) device can be initially programmed to report
back to the utility based on a schedule or some pre"set usage level. /odern A/) devices
incorporate the capability of remote reconfiguration of operating parameters and schedules.
3) Demand Side *anagement +DS*): An e,tension of automatic meter reading technology is
the D&/ application using )eal Time Pricing. This application includes the functionality of
monitoring the power usage during specific periods of the day as well as the control functionality
of notifying the customer of the change of periods and the new rate for that period. .or some
utilities# this option is not cost effective.
") ,ualit- of Ser.ice +,oS) *onitoring! 0uality of service is different things to different
2
utilities. The most comprehensive definition includes monitoring power outages and its duration#
the track record of power disturbances 1such as voltage blinks# harmonics and voltage sags2#
and
monitoring voltage wave"form distortions.
3
Acti.e Distribution *anagement / Definition
4 Distribution system operation and controls with the following characteristics
-. Active monitoring of distribution system conditions
2. (ontrol of distribution system in real time
4 Protection functions
4 )econfiguration after faults
4 .ault location
4 Voltage and var management
3. Integration of distributed generation# storage# and demand response
S-stem Design &onsiderations
4 Distributed (ontrols vs (entral (ontrols
5 'ocal controls
5 &ubstation control
5 (entral control
4 (ommunication Infrastructure )euirements
5 6hat happens when communications are out7
4 Distribution management system
5 +asic functions
5 Integration reuirements
5 /aintaining the model
4 Integrating distributed resources
Automating Distribution Feeder &ircuits 0 Benefits
4 /ore fle,ible operation of distribution system
4 Automated system response to disturbances and outages
4 Improved reliability with multiple options for supplying load
4 8ptimi9ed asset management and system efficiency
:
4 Integration of D*) to improve system performance
allow integration with energy management systems
Line *onitoring for RT1s
4Detection per phase
4 Voltage# current and
power factor per phase
4 &tandard distribution line
Design
Fault solation 2 Restoration
4 Primary &ystems
5 Traditional utility first line of defense
5 Protective )elays ; )eclosing )elays
5 Distribution 'ine )eclosers
4 &econdary &ystems
5 8perates after feeders have locked out
5 <athers granular fault data from field devices
5 Determines fault location
5 Automatically isolate the faulted feeder section 1if possible2
5 Automatically restore unfaulted feeder sections i.e.#
customer load2
=
&oordinated Volt3Var &ontrol
4 Voltage regulators
4 (apacitor banks
4 .uture 5 integrated operation of power electronics for
5 &torage
5 PV
5 &tatic compensators
Automatic Sectionali!ing 2 Restoration +ASR)
4 A&) is a generic term for secondary fault isolation and service restoration
4 Three types of A&)
5 &witch based
5 Distributed A&) 1DA&)2
5 (entrali9ed A&) 1(A&)2
>
ntegrated communication net#or( for distribution management
?
Traditional Volt/VAR &ontrol
4 Volt/VAR flo#s are managed b- indi.idual5 inde'endent5 standalone .olt/VAR
regulating
de.ices: +as s$o#n in Fig6 )
0 Substation transformer load ta' c$angers +LT&s)
0 Line .oltage regulators
0 Fi7ed and s#itc$ed ca'acitor ban(s
@