A smart grid metrics assessment of distribution automation for reliability improvement

Deregulation and the massive growth of Distributed Generation (DG) in distribution networks are forcing the network operators to improve the operational efficiency and power quality at the distribution level. Distribution Automation (DA) enables operators to monitor and control various distribution system components and thus decrease the restoration time after a fault occurs. To implement DA properly, it is necessary to integrate communication and information systems and automation devices. In this paper, DA measures are modeled based on the supply restoration process. Different levels of automation are assessed by the Smart Grid Metrics (SGM) approach with respect to reliability improvement [1]. Several traditional grid concepts are modeled and compared with DA options. An analytical Probabilistic Reliability Calculation (PRC) approach is applied to calculate the reliability indices to quantify the benefits. Finally, a cost/benefit analysis is carried out in order to assess DA from both a technical and an economic point of view.