Distribution Management System (DMS)
A Distribution Management System is a computer software designed to monitor
and control the operations of entire power distribution network reliably and
efficiently. In a smart grid, the continuous monitoring and control of power
distribution is essential for managing the power system resources.
What is Distribution Management System?
In the context of smart grid, a distribution management system (DMS) is a
computer software or a collection of applications which are designed and used
for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the operations of a power distribution
system.
The DMS is integrated into the power distribution system to improve the
reliability and efficiency of electricity delivery from distribution substations to
consumers. It performs several important functions in the distribution network
such as real-time monitoring, data analysis, fault identification, load balancing,
voltage regulation, etc. All these functions are directly and indirectly responsible
for improving reliability and efficiency of the distribution system.
Why Do We Need a Distribution Management System?
In a smart grid, the following are some major needs for integrating a
distribution management system into the electrical distribution network −
Reduce the Duration of Power Outages
A distribution management system continuously monitors the distribution
network. If there is any fault or abnormal condition, it rapidly detects it and
isolates from the healthy part of the distribution network.
The DMS employes several advanced fault detection algorithms to determine
the severity and exact location of the fault within the distribution network. This
allows the maintenance team for faster reaching to the fault location and reduce
the power outage duration by isolating the affected part of the network and
reroute the power to rest areas.
Enhance the Speed and Accuracy of Power Outage
Predictions
The distribution management system monitors the distribution network in real
time to assess its performance and conditions, and the related data is stored in
a database. This historical data is analyzed in the DMS to predict the potential
issues and power outages under different weather and load conditions.
The analytical tools used in the DMS to predicate the power outages use the
patterns and trends of the historical data and it results in faster and more
accurate predictions of the power outages.
Reduce the Crew Patrol and Drive Times in Locating the
Faults
The conventional methods of locating faults in the distribution network involve
lengthy field crew patrols which are highly time consuming. But the distribution
management system collects the real-time data from sensors placed across the
entire distribution network and analyzes this data to determine the exact
location of the fault in the network.
Using this information, the maintenance team can directly reach to location of
the fault. Hence, the DMS significantly reduces the patrolling time and also the
cost of operation and maintenance.
Improve Operational Efficiency of Distribution Network
The operational efficiency of a distribution network is dependent on load
conditions, voltage regulation, energy losses, and many other factors. DMS
provides facilities to continuously monitor and assess all these factors and the
overall performance of the distribution network.
If there is need to optimize any of these network parameters, the DMS notifies
the control room operators or sends the command to the control system
automatically. This optimized operation of the distribution network reduces the
wastage of energy in the network itself and improves the operational efficiency
of the distribution network.
Determine the Crew Resources Needed to Achieve
Restoration of Outages
A distribution management system is also capable in determining the nature
and severity of the fault occurred in the distribution network. This allows
maintenance team to determine the crew resources like number of crew
members, types of instruments, etc. required for effective restoration of
outages.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
For any power distribution company, customer satisfaction is on the top. The
distribution management system provides numerous ways through which the
utility companies can enhance the consumer satisfaction.
Some of major points are explained here −
• DMS improves the communication between consumers and distribution
companies. It uses interactive voice response or other mobile technologies
to communicate the information about outage status, estimated restoration
time, etc. through calls or text messages.
• DMS allows utility companies to estimate the restoration time more
accurately and inform the consumers for when power will be restored. This
improves the overall customer satisfaction.
• DMS also maintains a detailed record of parts of the distribution network
affected by the power outages. This helps in predictive maintenance and
prevention of repeated outages. Hence, DMS also improves the service
reliability and thus the consumer satisfaction.
Functions of Distribution Management System
A typical distribution management system (DMS) performs the following
important functions −
Network Connectivity Analysis (NCA)
The distribution management system creates a detailed model of the electrical
distribution network and shows its different components and their
interconnections. The network connectivity analysis helps the distribution
system operators to locate the component very easily. It also helps in
understanding how different components interact with each other in the
network.
Determine the Operating State of the Distribution Network
The distribution management system also assists the system operators to know
the operating state of the distribution network whether it is in radial node loops
or parallel in the network.
Switching Schedule and Safety Management
In a distribution network, the switching schedule is prepared by the control
engineers. This schedule is important for managing the opening and closing of
the switching devices to isolate and make safe a part of the network before
maintenance work is performed. This schedule is then validated by the DMS
using its network model.
DMS also performs safety management so that all the maintenance related
tasks are carried out without any danger to operating personnel and equipment.
Load Shedding Application (LSA)
Another important function that the distribution management system performs
is the automated load shedding. In a distribution network, load shedding is
performed to prevent overloading of the network and ensure the network
stability during peak demand period.
The load shedding application of the distribution management system identifies
the non-essential loads and temporarily disconnects them from the network to
prevent overloading on the system, equipment damage, power outages, and
blackouts.
Fault Management and System Restoration (FMSR)
The distribution management system (DMS) also performs the job of fault
management and system restoration. Under FMSR, the DMS is responsible for
detecting and isolating the faults in the distribution network and system
restoration as soon as possible.
The fault management and system restoration function of the DMS rapidly
detect the fault occurred in the network and determine its location. It also
isolates the affected part to reduce the impact on the rest of the network.
Finally, it restores the service in unaffected areas to improve the reliability of
the distribution system.
State Estimation (SE)
State estimation is another essential function that a distribution management
system performs. It is meant for providing a reliable estimate of the system
voltage in the distribution network.
For state estimation of the distribution network, the DMS uses data from
sensors and smart meters and utilizes this data to estimate the electrical states
of the network like voltages, power flow, etc.
State estimation helps the system operators to predict potential issues in the
network and prevent them to optimize the networks reliability and overall
performance.
Load Flow Application (LFA)
Load flow analysis is also one of the main functions of a distribution
management system. In a DMS, the load flow application is provided to analyze
the power distribution within the network under its normal operating conditions.
It performs power flow study of the distribution network to calculate voltages,
power flows, and energy losses within the network and provides a detailed
report on performance of the network.
Using load flow application, the operators can plan the efficient power delivery
and optimize the network performance.
Load Balancing Through Feeder Reconfiguration
The distribution management system also performs the load balancing within
the distribution network. This function is performed by the DMS through feeder
reconfiguration in which the configuration of the distribution network is adjusted
to distribute the load among all feeders evenly.
This function of the DMS prevents the overload condition of feeders and
improves the voltage stability in the network.
Distribution Load Forecasting (DLF)
The distribution management system continuously monitors the distribution
network and collects the data. The DMS analyzes this data to predict electricity
demand in advance.
This function of the DMS helps the operators to accurately forecast the load
demand and plan the power distribution accordingly.
Components of Distribution Management System
The block diagram of a distribution management system (DMS) used in a smart
grid is shown in the following figure.
From the block diagram, it can be seen that the DMS consists of several
components which are explained here −
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Advanced metering infrastructure or AMI is a component in a distribution
management system that consists of smart meters, sensors, communication
network, data management systems, and many other smart electronic devices.
AMI provides two-way communication between consumers and power
distribution companies. The primary function of AMI is to collect the real-time
data of power distribution and transfer to a control center.
Advanced Distribution Applications (ADAs)
These are computer software designed to perform the optimization of
distribution network. The advanced distribution applications provide capabilities
to manage and control the operations of the distribution network.
These applications provide the following main functionalities −
• Voltage and reactive power control and optimization
• Fault identification, isolation, and service restoration
• Balance between supply and demand
• Predication of future demand of electricity
• Management and control of distributed energy resources, etc.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
GIS or geographical information system is equipped into the distribution
management system to provide visual representation of the distribution
network. The GIS integrated with the DMS helps in determining the location of
the network equipment and customers.
Distribution SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is also an important
component of the distribution management system. It provides real-time
monitoring and control facilities of the distribution network. It also enables the
operators to manage and control the distribution network devices from a remote
location.
The distribution SCADA uses remote terminal units (RTUs) and other smart
electronic devices to collect real-time data from the distribution network and
communicate this collected data to a SCADA master station, where it is
processed to determine the networks status and conditions.
The distribution SCADA helps the utility companies to efficiently manage the
distribution networks.
Energy Management System (EMS)
EMS or Energy Management System is a component provided in a distribution
management system to manage and control the power generation, distribution,
and storage in the distribution network.
EMS is responsible for controlling the power generation, monitoring the power
flow in distribution network, and predicting the energy demand. Therefore, EMS
optimizes the overall performance of the distribution system.
Outage Management System (OMS)
Outage management system is a component of the distribution management
system that manages and reduces power outages. It collects data from AMI,
GIS, and SCADA, and predicts the potential issues in the network and restores
the service as soon as possible. Therefore, OMS reduces the outages duration
and improve the consumer satisfaction.
Advantages of Distribution Management System
In a smart grid, the following are some major advantages of the distribution
management system (DMS) −
• Distribution management system reduces the frequency and duration of
power outages and thus improves the reliability of the distribution network.
• DMS reduces the energy losses in the distribution network and hence
optimizes the network operations.
• DMS provides real-time monitoring and control facilities of the distribution
network which helps better management of the network.
• DMS enables two-way communication between utilities and consumers.
This helps in enhancing the customer satisfaction.
Disadvantages of Distribution Management System
Distribution management system (DMS) also has some down sides which are
listed here −
• The initial cost required for implementation of distribution management
system is high.
• The implementation and operation of a distribution management system is
a technology intensive complex task and requires skilled personnel.
• DMS involves the use of digital communication which highly vulnerable to
cyberattacks.
Conclusion
In a smart grid, the distribution management system is used to optimize the
overall performance of the distribution network.
The distribution management system (DMS) is a collection of computer
applications designed to manage and control the distribution network. Its key
role in the smart grid is to make the power supply stable and reliable at the
distribution level and to improve the customer satisfaction.