Coordinated local and centralized control in distribution management systems

Local automatic controllers and feeder reconfiguration are currently the main tools in power distribution system operational practice. Distribution Management Systems bring to distribution system operations two new centralized control functions: Volt/Var Control and Optimal Feeder Reconfiguration. These functions have traditionally been used in distribution system operational planning. However, centralized and real-time DMS application of Volt/Var Control and Feeder Reconfiguration creates new opportunities to control power distribution systems more effectively. This paper discusses these new opportunities. It describes possible optimization objectives when using Volt/Var Control and Feeder Reconfiguration together. Suggestions on how these functions may be coordinated in combination with local automatic controllers are illustrated with examples.