Object-oriented agents in power distribution automation

The use of information technologies within distribution utilities increases. However, a problem emerges: traditional technologies cannot cope with large distribution automation systems based on heterogeneous sub-systems. To overcome this problem, the authors identify the need for systems integration, high-level co-operation protocols, and powerful and flexible, yet robust, models of interaction. They describe a system architecture for distribution automation composed of object-oriented agents developed in different environments, interconnected using CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture).