A practical three-layer energy management framework for future distribution systems

The distribution system operators (DSOs) need a practical and realistic strategy to tackle the possible challenges in modern distribution systems. This paper proposes a three-layer energy management framework to efficiently take advantage of smart customers and prevent overloading in daily operations. A central energy management system (CEMS) contacts several local energy management systems (LEMSs) at the first layer using Ethernet. Also, each LEMS is in touch with several customers at the middle layer through an RF mesh network. Finally, a local controller controls all smart devices in each customer's location using a WiFi network at the third layer. The communication at the first, second, and third layers is architected according to IEEE 2030.5, Modbus IP, and Modbus protocol, respectively. The proposed framework is implemented on a modified IEEE 123-bus unbalanced test system with 16 LEMS for a daily operation. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can reduce the peak load and energy cost by 20% and 13.6%, respectively. Moreover, there is no need for administrative action from the DSO and all the processes initiated by the demand side.