Overview
Project Description
Distribution automation (DA) enables remote, real-time monitoring, operation, and optimization of utility distribution systems. DA assets are becoming more common, and the number being deployed is growing. It is important for utilities to actively manage DA assets due to their prevalence and their criticality to grid modernization efforts.
The objective of this research is to provide member utilities with advanced knowledge, technologies, and tools that enable them to make informed decisions regarding the life-cycle management of Distribution Automation assets.
The current research needs include understanding failure and degradation modes; improved inspection techniques and maintenance procedures; tools and technologies to remotely manage settings and firmware; reference books, asset databases, practices, and guidelines to assist with asset deployment and management; and a collaborative environment for sharing lessons learned and leading practices.
Objective
For over a decade, electric companies have expanded implementation of distribution automation (DA) on the grid. These deployments have helped to improve system reliability and resilience while adding visibility to the distribution grid. While many utilities have accelerated deployment of current technologies, new automation assets are emerging. Electric companies face challenges related to which assets to select and how to install, inspect, and maintain them on an ever-evolving distribution grid. Automated assets enable real-time monitoring, intelligent operations, remote control, and voltage optimization of overhead and underground distribution systems.
EPRI has developed this comprehensive research project focused on the asset life cycle of these DA assets. The key focus of this research is to help members through challenges related to the proven technology that they are currently using along with newer technologies that are coming on the market including new compact reclosers and innovative power electronic devices. These new technologies may be used to further increase reliability/resilience, enable electrification, and allow for the integration of more distributed resources but may create challenges with their application based on how they operate.
The objective of the Distribution Automation Assets project is to produce results that help members make informed decisions regarding the acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal of DA assets.
Research Tasks
This research focuses on equipment used to automate the distribution system including electronic reclosers, underground automated switchgear, compact reclosers, protection controls, voltage and current sensors, voltage optimization controls (capacitor bank and voltage regulator controls), and power electronic devices. EPRI accomplishes this research through the development and execution of extensive laboratory testing and evaluation; design reviews and failure analyses; the evaluation and demonstration of advanced technologies; practices sharing; and the development of guidebooks.
The Distribution Automation Assets research project plans to address the following tasks:
Laboratory Testing and Evaluation: Develop and perform lab tests on automation assets like reclosers, sensors, and controls to inform electric companies of asset life-cycle management challenges through accelerated aging and performance testing.
Recloser Failure Analysis and Guidebook: Investigate failure modes of solid dielectric reclosers, analyze failed units, identify root causes, and provide guidance on specification, selection, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance.
Compact Recloser Applications and Asset Life-Cycle Testing: Understand the performance and application of compact reclosers under various test conditions to improve reliability and reduce outage restoration times.
Voltage Sensing for DA Assets: Explore voltage sensors integrated with reclosers, switchgear, and capacitor banks to provide accurate voltage measurements for smart distribution applications and understand sensor accuracy and degradation over time.
Distribution Controllers Life-Cycle Management: Investigate the asset life cycle of distribution controllers through tests to understand their functionality, long-term performance, and degradation mechanisms.
Cabling and Connectors for Automation Equipment: Investigate control cabling failure modes and perform accelerated aging tests to inform specification and selection decisions related to control cables and connectors. In 2026, EPRI plans to continue accelerated aging of different connectors/cable combinations and to develop specification guidance based on the findings.
Underground DA Switchgear Life-Cycle Management: Investigate medium-voltage underground automated switchgear to identify degradation mechanisms and failure modes, informing equipment specifications and maintenance approaches.
Asset Health Monitoring: Develop asset health indicators using data from DA assets to assist with health monitoring and end-of-life decision making.
Power Electronics on the Distribution Grid: Develop and execute lab tests to investigate the functionality and long-term performance of power electronic devices on medium- and low-voltage distribution systems. In 2026, this task plans to develop and execute laboratory tests to investigate device functionality and long-term performance.
DA Practices: Investigate leading practices for management and field operation of DA devices through member practice sharing sessions, surveys, and interviews. In 2026, this task plans on investigating the management of legacy DA equipment.
Technology Scouting: Scout new technologies for distribution automation to identify opportunities for further investigation and demonstrations, focusing on existing products, new market entries, and future showcased assets.
For more information on the 2024 plan for distribution automation, contact Jason Anderson.
Research Value
The results from this research may help electric companies to:
- Improve specifications and their qualification process
- Justify selection and procurement decisions
- Understand degradation mechanisms and failure modes
- Assess device health and performance
- Evaluate new technologies and how to leverage these new technologies
- Learn other utility practices related to installation, operation, and maintenance
The research on DA assets benefits the public through:
- Improved reliability and resilience of their electric service
- Assisting in the successful deployement of additional distributed energy resources
- Enabling the grid to support additional electrification
- Increased speed of restoration
Task Force
The Distribution Automation Task Force advises the Distribution Automation Assets Project (P180.003). This task force consists of utility subject-matter experts in areas related to automation, grid monitoring, and control. The task force is focused on the life-cycle of automation assets including switching devices, sensors, controls, and voltage optimization devices. This task force meets several times per year by WebEx or in person. There is usually one in-person meeting per year held in conjunction with the other P180 task forces.
Members are encouraged to participate in several ways:
- Attend task-force meetings
- Provide equipment for testing or evaluation
- Provide information on your company’s standards or practices (a survey for example)
- Review and comment on reports and findings
- Attend testing at EPRI laboratories
- Present to the task force on company issues or initiatives
- For equipment failures, submit equipment to EPRI for forensic analysis
- Reach out to Jason Anderson on matters related to automation
This task force is also a good opportunity to meet automation experts at other participating companies.
Common Questions
Who can attend task-force meetings?
- Task-force meetings are for funders of the P180.003 project. This includes task-force members and guests from sponsoring companies.
Are there specific membership requirements?
- The only requirement is to fund P180.003. Membership is rather loose. There are no meeting attendance requirements.
How do I join this task force?
- Just send a request to Jason Anderson or Krys Ford. Similarly, if you’d like to be removed, let one of them know.
Can my company have more than one task-force member?
- Yes.
Can I share task-force material within my company?
- Yes.
Can I share task-force material outside my company?
- Generally, not. There are exceptions, so if you have a need, please contact Jason Anderson.
Are discussions covered by a non-disclosure agreement?
- Yes. All EPRI member agreements include non-disclosure clauses.
If my company isn’t funding this, how can I sign up?
- Each company has their own methods for selecting components of the annual EPRI research portfolio. Contact your METT for more information. Technical advisors from EPRI’s member services can also help. Find contact information here.
Related Research
Collaborative Supplemental Projects
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Distribution Recloser Life-Cycle ManagementUnderstand Future recloser performance … to make better decisions Today!Reclosers are an essential component of utility grid modernization efforts. EPRI is performing laboratory testing including functional tests, the accuracy of embedded and external recloser sensors, and accelerated aging testing on many different reclosers. Once testing is completed the recloser will be systematically dismantled to look for potential future degradation mechanisms. The goal of this work is to help utilities to make informed life cycle management decisions regarding distribution reclosers
The outcomes from this project include:
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Alternative Technologies for Recloser Backup PowerImprove recloser backup power to reduce O&M costs and ensure the reliability benefits of automation.Many utilities have recently completed or are in the process of wide-scale deployment of distribution reclosers as part of grid modernization efforts. Experience has shown that battery maintenance represents the largest O&M expense related to reclosers. As such, these expanded deployments may increase O&M spending for battery maintenance. The backup batteries in most controls are valve regulated lead acid batteries (VRLA) and this has been the standard for many years. There are several new potential energy storage technologies that may also prove useful for these applications. The objective of this project is to investigate the suitability of alternative energy storage technologies to provide recloser backup power. This new project will consider several areas related to backup power systems in distribution recloser controls.
The following tasks are planned:
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For more on supplemental projects, see here. To discuss project ideas, please e-mail Jason Anderson.
Laboratory Capabilities
- Distribution Sensor Testing - EPRI has developed a methodology and the capability to perform testing distribution sensors to understand their performance and life-cycle characteristics. Tests include 60 Hz measurement accuracy, fault testing, harmonics, environmental testing, different line geometries, and long-term aging tests. The goal of this testing is to test not only the sensing component, but the entire system from the measurement transducer to the data collection point. This gives a much more real-world performance from laboratory investigation.
- Switching Devices Testing and Design Reviews - EPRI has been performing testing on reclosers and other switching devices to understand expected performance and long-term characteristics. Laboratory capabilities include functionality testing, multi-stress aging tests, environmental testing, and complete design reviews of materials and components of new devices.
Failure Analysis & Services
EPRI offers utilities the ability to send in failed automation equipment such as reclosers to perform diagnostics, and systematically teardown the equipment to ascertain the root cause of failure. This process typically takes the following form:
- Photo Documentation - Capture visual evidence prior to any unit disassembly
- Electrical Testing - Determine status and operability of the recloser electrical components of the automation equipment
- Teardown - Systematic disassembly if needed of the equipment to identify cause of failure
- Analysis - Findings reviewed, further laboratory testing and potential failure modes identified
- Report and Technical Transfer - The findings of the investigation will be developed into a report and communicated to the utility via webcast or other method
Other Programs
P200 Distribution Operations and Planning
- PS200C: Operations
- PS200D: Operations
Program 180: Distribution Systems
Equipment failures can often pose safety risks. In both the P180.001 Overhead and P180.002 Underground projects, the fundamental deterioration and failure modes of equipment are evaluated.
The P180.002 Underground project is also covering issues with manhole explosions from flammable gases and faults.