DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION:SMART GRID
(AN ABSTRACT OF PROPOSED STUDY) Introduction
Distribution Automation includes any automation which is used in planning, engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of distribution power system including interactions with transmission system, interconnected distributed energy resources (DER), and automated interfaces with end-users.
Benefits of Distribution Automation
The measure benefits from distribution automation are followings: Direct financial benefits, including lower costs, avoided costs and pricing choices for customers. Power reliability and power quality benefits, including reduced number and length of outages. Safety and security benefits, including increased visibility into unsafe or insecure situations. Energy efficiency benefits, including reduced energy usage, reduced demand during peak times and reducing green house gases.
Technical Challenges of Distribution Automation
The technical challenges for distribution automation are followings: Electronic equipment: It covers all field equipment which are microprocessor-based, including controllers, remote terminal units, intelligent electronic devices used in handheld device etc. Communication systems: Communication systems cover not only the media (fiber optic GPRS, WiFi),but also different types of communication protocols (Ethernet,TCP/IP,DNP, Web Services,etc.). Data management: Data management covers all aspects of collecting, analyzing, storing, and providing data to users and applications across databases, etc. Software applications: Software applications cover the programs, algorithms,data analysis, and other software that provides additional capabilities to distribution automation.
Conclusion And Our View
The smart grid is a concept referring to the application of digital technology to the electric power sector to improve reliability, reduce cost, increase efficiency, and enable new components and applications.