2024 Distribution Automation Project Tasks

Distribution Automation Asset Laboratory Testing and Evaluation: This task intends to develop and perform laboratory testing on new and emerging automation assets, including distribution reclosers, sensors, and controls. The test results aim to inform utility asset life-cycle management, including specification and selection decisions. In 2024, this task plans to investigate the performance of a 15-kV S&C IntelliRupter.

Recloser Failure Analysis and Guidebook: Utilities have installed thousands of solid dielectric reclosers over the past decade, and some have experienced early in-service failures. This task investigates the failure modes of these reclosers, working one-on-one with member utilities to analyze failed units removed from service to identify approaches to reduce the likelihood of future failures. Findings are incorporated into the EPRI recloser guidebook, a reference containing guidance on the specification, selection, installation, operation, and maintenance of solid dielectric reclosers.

Underground Distribution Automation Assets Testing: This research plans to investigate medium-voltage underground automated switchgear, focusing on identifying degradation mechanisms and failure modes to better understand long-term performance expectations. The research also includes switch controls, integrated sensors, switch control cabling, and other auxiliary components. Research results can inform equipment specifications and inspection and maintenance approaches, reducing the likelihood of failure and aiding utilities in optimizing the life-cycle performance of these devices. This will be a joint task with 180.002 Underground Distribution Assets.

Cabling and Connectors for Automation Equipment: Control cable problems can cause misoperation of automation equipment, inconsistent or inaccurate measurements from sensors, and reporting of improper statuses from the device. This research investigates control cabling failure modes and performs 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. In 2024, EPRI plans to apply a newly developed accelerated aging test to connectors/cables intended to identify potential issues such as moisture ingress.

Advanced Technologies and Tools for DA Inspections and Asset Health Monitoring: The widescale deployment of automation assets comes with additional challenges—how to inspect and maintain this large fleet of complex equipment. This task plans to investigate technology and tools to assist with inspections of newly installed automation assets, routine inspections, and failure investigations. The technologies evaluated could include handheld tools that detect abnormal heating or partial discharge, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to image DA installations, and dashboards that display data collected by the control to understand device health.

DA Visual Inspection Field Guide: Visual inspections, whether performed by a human or artificial intelligence (AI) system, require training to detect specific anomalies. To assist with this, EPRI is developing guidance on what to look for and how to act upon visual inspection results from DA assets. This field guide is planned to include images that illustrate various conditions and factors that commonly affect DA assets.

Power Electronics Devices on the Distribution Grid: Power electronic devices represent a new class of assets that have yet to be widely deployed on medium- and low-voltage distribution systems. These devices could enable a more flexible grid through additional control and visibility, especially at the edge of the grid. In 2024, this task plans to scout and document potential technologies while developing laboratory test approaches to investigate device functionality and long-term performance.

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 utility practice sharing sessions, broad utility surveys, and targeted interviews to discuss the utility’s practices in depth.

Technology Scouting: The pace of change in distribution technology is accelerating, with new technologies, approaches, vendors, and service providers entering the market and offering new solutions. This research will scout new technologies for distribution automation and identify opportunities for further investigation and demonstrations.