Distribution Automation: A Level-Layer Framework for Implementation in Smart Grid

Electric energy distribution automation (DA) systems have seen considerable advancement in terms of enabling technologies and standards. Despite considerable body of collective knowledge gained by the research and development activities and engineering practice on the enabling technologies in power, communications control and software engineering disciplines, there exists a huge knowledge gap due to the lack of holistic and systems engineering studies within the DA area. This paper proposes a general level-layer framework for the DA systems, where the levels of automation (LoA) from the general human-automation interaction literature are tailored to the electric energy distribution automation domain, considering two approaches: leveling based on the functional priority of information automation, and leveling based on the cost-effectiveness approach. Moreover, an architecture of hexarchy is presented for DA layers, by stating all the components of advanced DA. Finally, the proposed level-layer framework for the DA systems is implemented to the RBTS system, and discussions are made to explore the application-specific issues of the framework.