Distribution Automation is the complete automation of all controllable equipment and functions in the distribution power system. Main tasks are operation and maintenance distribution system facilities to improve the quality of service, reducing operating costs, increase efficient use of energy and faster adaption for the changing energy environment. Distribution Automation also includes newer applications such as fault detection, fault location analysis, volt and var control and power quality measurements.

A major requirement on electricity supply systems is high supply reliability for the customer – which is mainly determined by the distribution network. Supply reliability is influenced by various technical and organizational factors, and typically quantified by criteria such as SAIDI and SAIFI. In general, customer expectations on supply reliability are steadily increasing. In some cases, explicit power quality criteria are even included in negotiated contracts between customers and utilities. Moreover, in liberalized markets, regulators typically require the utilities to report on the reliability performance, or define explicit performance targets – that are even penalized in case of violations in several countries.

Given this background, the power quality performance of distribution networks is coming more and more into focus of system operators. Cost-effective measures and concepts for system development and operation are necessary. Performance targets demanded by customers and regulators are becoming a key factor for economic system operation. Understanding the correlations between the respective measures and their detailed and quantitative impact on the system’s reliability performance is therefore becoming more and more important.

Economic automation of secondary stations is possible with ENEAS for distribution automation.