Distribution System Automation

 Electric power utilities, in present times, run its

working as efficient enterprises.
 With objective of providing energy at an acceptable
level of Power Quality
 Emergence of Deregulation concept has given a radical
shift in goals and working patterns of these utilities.
 Open access and privatization has caused a significant
review of network design and operating practices.
 It resulted in separation of production, bulk
transmission, distribution and metering into different
businesses has change the orientation of these utilities.
• Power Quality is an important issue for which
utilities are made accountable.
• Network control and automation play a key role in
enabling the network owner to adapt to the
changing situation and opportunities to achieve its
goals.
Distribution Automation: Necessary Consideration
• DA provides a fast method of improving reliability ,
making operating function ,more efficient and also
extending asset life.
• Acceptance of DA across the power industry is
varied and is not universal due to a limited benefit-
to-cost ratios.
 Past management perceptions was that more
efficient control of distribution network was neither
required nor a worthwhile investment.
 This view of management is changing as a result of
deregulation and also due to the power industry’s
experience with new cost-effective control and
communication systems.
 Automation was first implemented at top of the
control hierarchy where integration of multi-
functions leads to gains in the efficiencies across the
entire business.
 Implementation of downstream automation
system requires more difficult justification.

 downstream automation system is usually site

specific , targeted to areas where improved
performance produce measurable benefits.

 Benefits through automating substations are now

being extended outside the substation to devices
along the feeders and even down to meters.
 CONTROL HIERARACY
• A typical network control level is shown in Figure
and it comprises of five layers:
LAYER-1

LAYER-2
IS, CIS, GIS
LAYER-3
LAYER-4
EMS, SCADA, DMS, LMS
LAYER-5
Substation Control, Substation RTU

Feeder automation, DTU, IED, communication

Metering and communication, LCRs, LPU, AMR

• IS Information System
• CIS Customer Information System
• GIS Geographical Information System
• EMS Energy Management System
• SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
• DMS Distribution Management System
• LMS Load Management System
• RTU Remote Terminal Unit
• DTU Distribution Terminal Unit
• IED Intelligent Electronic Device
• LPU Load Point Unit
• LCR Load Control Unit
• AMR Automatic Meter Reading
• Layer-1 : Utility: The upper level of the hierarchy
covers all enterprise wide IT, asset management, and
energy systems.
• Layer-2: Network: This layer controlled the bulk power
transmission networks, including the economic
dispatch of generators.
• Layer-3: Substations: The integrated control of all
circuit breakers inside the substation with
communication of all protection relay status.
• Layer 4: Distribution : This layer covers the Medium
Voltage feeder systems and reflects expansions of the
real-time control capability, through remote control
and load automation, of the feeder devices located
below the primary substations.
• Layer 5: Consumer: Lowest Layer of control is where
the distribution system directly interfaces with the
consumers.
• This layer represents a growing activity where more
flexible metering systems are required to allow
convenient revision of tariff and load control.

 Division of the control process into control layers are

made as responsibilities within the utility are similarly
organized
 Power network is a vertically integrated delivery
system where each layer is a necessary part of whole.
 Distribution automation comprises of layer 3 and 4.
 Depth of Control:
• It is refers to control layer that any particular control
system covers.
• For example: Transmission SCADA, energy management
system depth of control covers all devices down to the
medium voltage feeder circuit breakers.
• Distribution SCADA/DMS control may start form same
circuit breakers and control all MV devices including
measurement on LV side of distribution transformers
• Delineation of control responsibility ( who control
what) must be defined through agreeing and setting
appropriately the boundaries of control responsibility
within network organization.
 Benefits of Implementing DA
• The key areas of benefits down the control hierarchy can be
summarized in given Table:
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Control Reduce Capacity Improved New Power Better
Hierarchy Operating Project Reliability Customer Quality Information
Layer and Deferrals Services for
Maintenance Engineering
Cost and
planning

Utility Yes Yes Yes

Network Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Substation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Distribution Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Customer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

(1) Reduce Operating and Maintenance Cost
• Automation reduces operating cost across entire
structure
(1) from improved management of information at
the utility layer
(2) from the automatic development of switching
plans with a DMS at network layer.
• At substation and distribution layers, a fast fault
location reduces crew travel time as they can be
dispatched directly to faulted area.
• Time consuming traditional faults location using line
patrols in combination with field operation of
manual switch can be eliminated.
• Automation can lead to reduction in losses by
regularly remotely changing normally open points
(NOPs) and dynamically controlling the voltage.

• Condition monitoring of network elements through

real-time data access allows enhanced condition
and reliability-based maintenance practices to be
implemented.

• Shutdown for maintenance can be optimally planed

to reduced their impact on customers.
• (2) Capacity Project Deferrals
• Improved network operating information allows
existing network to be operated with reduced
margins.
• Releasing capacity that would be otherwise
reserved for contingencies.
• Real-time loading analysis allows the component
life to be optimized against operational needs
• Need for additional substation transformer capacity
can be reduced.
• Because short-term load transfer to adjacent
substations can made remotely to maintain supply
with little equipment loss of life.
(3) Improved Reliability

• Deployment of remote-controlled switching devices

(recloses and load break) and communicating fault
passage indicators improve whole area of outage
management.

• Reducing both duration and frequency of outages.

• Customer demands and regulatory pressure for

improves network reliability will be forcing utility
management to review operating and design
practices in areas of substandard performance.
• Automation provides fastest way to reduce
duration.

• A 20-30% improvement in the average outage

duration can be achieved for most well-maintained
overhead feeder system in one year through
implementation of the automation.

• Outage are only counted if sustained over a

sustained time, typically between 1 and 5 minutes.
4) New Customer Services
• Automation at customer layer through remote
meter reading allows the utility to offer more
flexible tariffs
• Allows customers more selectivity and control of
consumption.
• Lowest control layer has to coordinated with
customer information system at highest control
layer, to be an effective business system
• Automation will be a pre-requisite at the lowest
level if distribution resources (micro-turbines, gas
engines, windmills, photovoltaic arrays etc.) are to
be practical
(5) Power Quality

• In addition to reliability, power quality includes unbalances,

sags, swells harmonics etc.

• These are in closer scrutiny with the increased penetration of

electronic consumer loads

• Automation of Distribution network increasingly includes

osilographics in the intelligent devices, allowing true
monitoring of quality.

• Automation also enables dynamical control of voltage

regulation through remote control of capacitor banks and
voltage regulators.
6) Improved Information for Engineering and Planning
• Increase in real time data availability provides more
visibility to planners and the operators of the
network.

• Optimization of communication infrastructure (an

important aspect of automation implementation).

• Data collected is fundamental to better planning

asset management, resulting lower operating costs
and capital investments.
 Distribution Automation Concept
• The perception of distribution automation ranges
from its use as umbrella term covering entire
control process of distribution enterprise to the
deployment of simple remote control.
• Includes communication facilities fitted with control
devices.
• The concept applies generic world of automation of
distribution system operation.
• It covers very wide range of functions, covering
protection, switching, SCADA, metering and
associated information technology application
• The concept melds together the ability to mix local
automation, remote control of switches and central
decision making cohesive flexible and cost-effective
operating architecture for power distribution
system.
• Within DA concept, there are two specific terms
• (1) Distribution Management System (DMS)
• (2) Distribution Automation System (DAS)
Distribution Management System
 It is a control room focus.
 Provides operator with best view of network
operation.
 Coordinate all downstream real-time function within
network with non-real time (manually operated devices)
 Generate information to properly control the network
on a regular basis.
 Key to a DMS is:
(1) organization of distribution network model
database.
(2) access to all supporting IT infrastructure.
(3) application necessary to populate the model.
(4) supports the daily operating task.
 Common human-machine interface and process
optimized command structure is vital for operation of a
DMS unit.
 Distribution Automation System
 DA system fits below DMS unit.
 It includes:
(1) all the remote-controlled devices at substations
and feeder levels (circuit breakers, re-closers,
auto-sectionalizers etc.)
(2) local automation distribution at these devices.
(3) communication infrastructure.
 DA is a subsystem of DMS essentially covering all
real-time aspects of downstream network control
 Term “automation” itself suggests that process is
self-controlling.
• Electrical power industry has adopted following
definition:

• “ A set of technologies that enable an electric utility

to remote monitor, coordinate and operate
distribution components in a real-time mode from
remote location”

• Definition does not mention an automatic function

which has inferred in word “coordinate”.
• All protective devices must be coordinated to
automatically perform the protection function
satisfactorily.
• “real-time” suggests that automation system will
operate in the 2-second response time frame.
• This criteria of real-time may be overly demanding
for some part of network where communication
delays are significant.
• Real-time provides flexibility to implement response
time appropriate to achieving operating goals for
networks in a cost effective manner.
• One difference of DA from traditional protection
based operation is that relevant distribution
components can be controlled from remote location.
• Concept necessitates integration of communication
infrastructure within DA architecture.
• communication infrastructure become a key critical
facility that offers increased information and control
to the decision-making process.
• DA also should support central room applications that
facilitate different operations.
• Number of distribution assets not under remote
control is in the majority for any distribution network.
• Proper management of these assets become an
important requirement.
• It requires added facility offered within a DMS.
• These application require support from corporate
process system such as CIS, GIS, which reside at top
layer of the control hierarchy.
Basic Architecture and Implementation Strategies
For Distribution Automation
(1) Architecture : Basic architecture for DA comprises
of three main components:
(a) device to be operated.(b) a communication system
(c) a gateway, referred as DA gateway.
 Figure of Generalized architecture:
• Figure of Typical Distribution Automation components:

 Configuration applicable to both substation and feed

automation.
 In Primary substation applications, the gateway is a
substation computer, capturing and managing all datas
from protective devices.
• It replaces the RTU as interface to the
communication system.
• In feeder automation application, gateways manage
the communication to multiple intelligent switches
• acting as regard to central control as a data
concentrator.
• In effect creates the virtual location for each switch
• Relives the central control for need to establish
every switch as control point.
• Every switch as a control point is possible and can
be used for automation where a few switches are
remotely controlled
• A remote terminal unit (RTU) is a microprocessor-
controlled electronic device that interfaces objects
in the physical world to a distributed control system
or SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition)
system by transmitting telemetry data to a master
system, and by using messages from the master
supervisory system to control connected objects.
• Another term that may be used for RTU is remote
telecontrol unit.
• An RTU monitors the field digital and analog
parameters and transmits data to the Central
Monitoring Station.
• It contains setup software to connect data input
streams to data output streams, define
communication protocols, and troubleshoot
installation problems.
• An RTU may consist of one complex circuit card
consisting of various sections needed to do a
custom fitted function or may consist of many
circuit cards including CPU or processing with
communications interface(s), and one or more of
the following: (AI) analog input, (DI) digital input,
(DO/CO) digital or control (relay) output, or (AO)
analog output card(s).
• In cases where is no substation automation, substation
RTU acts as a gateway for all switches located on
feeders emanating from substation.
• Gateways can also used to establish local arrears of
control where a more optimum communication
infrastructure for extended control can be stabilized
separately from SCADA system.
• Gateway become conversion point from one
infrastructure (protocol and communication system) to
another.
• Gateways can also be extended from a simple data
concentrator to one with limited graphical user
interface to allow local control or even communicating
selected information to multiple masters.
Power Distribution Automation Case Study
• Power Distribution Automation System (PDAS) has been successfully
implemented by C-DAC (Center for Development of Advanced
Computing) in Thiruvananthapuram city jointly with Kerala State
Electricity Board (KSEB).
• The system does the automation of the 11 KV distribution network of
Thiruvananthapuram city.
• thereby improving supply reliability through reduction of number and
duration of outages, reduction of losses in the system, improved voltage
profile and improved safety.
• The technology permits building-block approach to Distribution
Automation in Utilities, covering mainly Central Control System,
Substation Control System and Distributed Node management
(Sectionalisers, Ring Main Units, Distribution Transformers, Remote
Meters etc.)
• The technology also incorporates unique communication strategies over
multiple media like Wireless, Data over Cable, Telephone line, GSM etc.,
in a hierarchical fall back mode.
• The Distribution Automation System consists of a Central
Control System (CCS), Substation Control Systems (SCS),
Distributed Nodes(DN) and Repeater Stations for Radio
communication between CCS, SCS and DN.
• The Central Control System consisting of Dual Redundant
Servers in hot standby configuration and Linux based
Communication Server, gathers on-line data from SCS
and DNs over Radio and from Repeater Stations over
high speed/ high bandwidth Wireless LAN
• The Substation Control System acquires the 11KV feeder
parameters and sends the online data to CCS/Repeater
station over Radio/Telephone line/ GSM/ Cable.
• The Distributed Node consists of Ring Main
Units(RMUs), Micro Remote Terminal Units(MRTUs)
and Remote Radios , installed in transformer
locations in the distribution network.

• The MRTU enables easy and reliable remote

operation of RMU switches from Control Room for
feeder fault isolation and supply restoration.

• The DN acquires electrical parameters as well as

RMU switch(CB) status and sends the online the
datas to CCS/Repeater station over Radio
 Another Example: Cooper Power Systems’
NOVA-STS vacuum recloser installation with a
220-MHz radio antenna connected to a GE
MDS SD2 radio
(2) Creating The DA solution
 Major components of a DA system are in primary
substation and feeder devices outside the substations
such as pole mounted switches, ground-mounted units
and secondary substations.
 These have to be interface into the Distribution control
center (DCC) / DMS.
 Across the function of DCC/DMS, primary substation,
and secondary substation is communication
infrastructure.
 Selection of communication method depends on goals
and constraints for each control layers.
 Different type has to accommodated with DA through
conversion , usually at gateway or SCADA front end.
Figure: Components of Distribution Automation
 Primary Substations
 Switchgear bays are supplied as an integrated set consisting
of circuit breakers with actuator, protection relay mounted
and wired with terminal blocks.
 Remote control can be done in two ways:
(1)By hardwiring the control, indication and measurement
circuits to a primary RTU.
 RTU is supplied as part of SCADA system with
communication structure.
 Conversion of SCADA protocol over microwave radio or
dedicated land lines or vice-ce.
 Tradition method is used to stabilized remote control of
substation via retrofitting the communication facility to
existing primary gear.
(2) By Implementing substation automation
 Establishes a Local Area Network (LAN) within
substation, between communicating protection
relays and small PC based substation automation
gateway, to manage data within the substation.
 Eliminates the need of primary RTU and hardwiring
of station devices.
 Gateways provides communication interface back to
DCC/DMS using SCADA protocol.
 It should support software-based internal
substation interlocking and automation application.
 provides a GUI for local operation.
 Line Switch/ Secondary Substation
 Remote control switches near primary substation is presently
implemented.
 Little standardization of the role and level of automation is there
to be implemented at either a pole or ground mounted switches.
 Challenges could be geographical distances, number of
equipment, coordination among them.
 Many alternate configuration at switches are possible due
automation.
 Accuracy, quantity and parameters of monitoring system need to
decided.
 Decision to be taken include type and number of sensors, type of
intelligent devices and the communication infrastructure.
 Type of local automation that will be required is
also a major factor like:
 (1) Selection of primary switching device (recloser,
load breaker switch etc)
 (2) Specification of function of intelligent devices
(Full protection or simple communication interface)
 Accordingly communication media and protocol
need to be selected and integrate into a complete
DA architecture.
 A device that been fully specified and tested to plug
and play in defined environment is termed as “
SCADA ready” or “Automation Ready Device” (ARD).
 Problem comes in mass production of such devices.
• Two Approaches to implementation of DA at this
level
I) Retrofitting the remote-control facility to installed
switches.
 Majority of pole mounted switches will open air
break type.
 It can be automated by supplying DA control
cabinet mounted at the bottom of pole, containing
actuator and secondary equipment for its control
and communication.
 Retrofitting automation to exiting ground mounted
equipment depends on physical ability of gear
accept a retrofitted actuator.
II) Installation of new automation ready equipment
specifically designed for remote control by replacing
exiting manual switches.
 In any DA implementation, probability of having an
existing SCADA in network is high.
 It necessitate that any extension of control must
interface with this existing system.
 Further down the network, control is extended,
 Higher the likelihood that integration of equipments
will be necessary to achieve an integrated control
system.