Prospects for distribution automation at Pacific Gas & Electric Company

The authors describe the results of a distribution automation study conducted by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Three areas of distribution automation were investigated: substation automation, feeder automation, and customer interface automation. Distribution automation functions that are applicable to PG&E's distribution system were identified. Potential benefits and costs associated with those functions were quantified. A cost benefit analysis was performed to determine the economic feasibility of each function. Based upon this analysis, it was determined that substation automation is cost effective in most PG&E service areas. Feeder automation may be cost effective in selected service areas. In general, customer interface automation could not be justified based upon existing technology and present costs associated with it. However, specific service areas within PG&E were identified where automatic meter reading could be justified.<>