2022 Distribution Automation Project Tasks

Laboratory Evaluation and Assessment: This task intends to define tests, develop the capability, and perform laboratory testing for distribution sensors, controls, and switching devices. Test results aim to inform utility decisions regarding specification and selection.

EPRI Distribution Automation Guidebook: EPRI continues development of a comprehensive DA guidebook, with a current focus on reclosers, recloser controls, and distribution sensors. Report contents include a focus on specification, selection, installation, operation, and maintenance. Additions to the report will include new information about other DA asset types and/or new material about assets already covered.

Recloser Failure Analysis: This task investigates the failure mechanisms of distribution reclosers. The research intends to analyze failed units to understand degradation and failure modes. Also, failure information will be collected from various utilities to gather additional information on the failure modes of reclosers. The results could reduce the likelihood of failure and aid utilities in optimizing life-cycle performance.

Cabling and Connectors for Automation Equipment: Automation controls are typically connected to devices at the top of the pole using a multi conductor control cable that is terminated on both ends with a multi-pin connector. Control cables are used to send operation commands, sensor measurements, and contact status and are critical for automation assets to properly function. Control cables have been found to cause mis-operations of automation device, inconsistent or inaccurate measurements from sensors, and reporting of improper statuses from the device. This task plans to investigate control cabling to understand failure causes and perform testing to inform specification and selection decisions related to control cables and connectors. The task also aims to understand practices related to installation and maintenance of control cables.

Lightning and Surge Protection for Automation Assets: Utilities must protect control and communication equipment from the effects of lightning and surges on the distribution system. This task investigates utility grounding, bonding, and surge protection approaches for recloser, automated switch, capacitor bank, and voltage regulator installations. The task plans to continue to evaluate the effects of lightning on different installation configurations for automation equipment using laboratory testing and/or simulation.

Virtual Inspection and Monitoring: This task aims to evaluate approaches and techniques that could be used to perform virtual inspections on DA devices. A “virtual” inspection remotely captures operational measurements, event reports, and readings from DA devices to determine asset health. The data collected can be used to perform online monitoring to actively manage automation equipment.

DA Asset Inspection and Maintenance Field Guide: Once the current rapid deployment of reclosers and other distribution automation equipment is completed, utilities must begin to manage these wide scale deployments in the field. This task intends to capture practices of excellence from EPRI"s research and utility practice sharing to develop a field guide for the inspection and maintenance of reclosers, capacitor banks, and other automation assets.

DA Practices: This task investigates leading practices for management and field operation of DA devices. Focus areas include DA asset design, provisioning, installation, commissioning, inspection, maintenance, and troubleshooting. These practices are gathered through broad utility surveys and targeted interviews to discuss the utility’s practices in depth.

DA Utility Exchange Workshop: EPRI plans to develop and deliver a workshop on distribution automation to provide members a forum for technology transfer and utility information exchange. The themes for the workshop session are based on ongoing research and industry issues. Also, a series of utility information exchange sessions are planned on practices of interest to utility participants.