Advanced distribution automation (ADA) applications and power quality in Smart Grids

Increasing complexity of power grid and its management, growing demand and service quality expectations such as greater grid reliability, efficiency and security as well as environmental and energy sustainability concerns have triggered the next major step in the evolution of the power grid towards a "Smart Grid". It is an expected result of implementing new technologies in power systems, including renewable energy resources, distributed generation and latest information and communication technologies. A successful power grid management activity such as DA hinges on the information collected from the network itself using an integrated monitoring system. It enables real-time monitoring of grid conditions for the distribution system operators and allows automatic reconfiguration of the network to optimize the power delivery efficiency and/or reduce the impact and duration of outages. Hydro-Quebec is showing leadership in this field with its proposed evolution plan towards a smart grid, which should include: (1) Grid monitoring (to improve reliability), (2) Equipment monitoring (to improve maintenance), (3) Product monitoring (to improve power quality). The utility has ambitious programs. To achieve its energy efficiency program, HQ has focused on two targets: (1) Capacitor banks installation, (2) Volt control. To reduce the outage duration, HQ has focused on fault location. Pilot projects have been conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of two ADA systems such as: (1) Volt & VAR Control (VVC) system (2) Fault Location (FL) system. The VVC system requires a permanent surveillance of the voltage level at the end of the distribution feeder and the prototype FL system based on a Voltage Drop Fault Location (VDFL) technique uses voltage and current waveforms from distributed power-quality measurements. The impact of these systems on distribution grid and customers is permanently evaluated. Meters and major distribution equipment controllers belonging to different ADA systems can be used as well as elements of an integrated PQ monitoring system. This symbiosis, between ADA applications and the power quality monitoring activity, represents one of the advantages offered by Smart Grids.