A Framework for Blackout Scheduling and Management in Iran’s Electricity Distribution Network: A Case Study of Ardabil Province Electricity Distribution Company

The organizational structure of electricity distribution companies in Iran reflects a diverse array of load demands across its provinces. Each province’s load demand is intricately linked to local economic, social, cultural, climatic, and political factors. Consequently, the Ardabil Province Electricity Distribution (APED) Company oversees numerous centers, each catering to distinct load demand levels within its cities. APED’s Company encompasses the provision of services to subscribers across various sectors, including domestic, commercial, administrative, public, agricultural, and industrial domains. Given the increasing prevalence of electricity consumption and the industrial sector’s substantial reliance on this energy source, coupled with the integration of electricity transmission and distribution networks, it has become imperative to establish operational centers. These centers play a pivotal role in ensuring comprehensive control, monitoring, and energy management. Such pivotal functions fall under the purview of a vital entity known as the dispatching center within distribution companies. The dispatching center serves as the center for network voltage and load control, overseeing both scheduled and unscheduled blackouts. In light of the specific challenges faced by APED, including issues such as premature heatwaves during spring and summer, early activation of cooling systems in autumn and winter, unauthorized electricity consumption for digital currency mining, and constraints on electricity production within power plants due to unique circumstances, the presence of dispatching supervision and the electrical emergency system (referred to as “121”) assumes critical importance. This article commences by elucidating the historical context of blackout resolution methods, subsequently delving into the challenges encountered and the initial deployment of the dispatching center and electrical emergency system within APED.