Distribution automation system with real-time analysis tools

In the past 10 years, the electric power industry's involvement in distribution automation (DA) has been principally focused on remote monitoring and control of the distribution systems and their equipment. SCADA has constituted the most significant attribute. Electric utilities in many locations around the world have installed numerous SCADA systems for their distribution substations and feeders and built the infrastructure for real-time distribution operation and control. Real-time data is available to human operators, enabling them to monitor more and more events in their distribution systems and to control automatic equipment remotely. This article features Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (USA) approach to utilizing the existing infrastructures and available data more effectively by introducing intelligence to DA/SCADA systems through development of advanced analytical tools for operations decision support.