Distribution management system at Empresas Publicas de Medellin (Colombia)

This paper presents the experience of Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM) in the implementation of its distribution automation project an integrated SCADA/distribution management system (DMS). It includes some distribution applications, interfaces with existing geographical information (GIS) and customer information (CIS) systems to get the information of the distribution networks and the SCADA itself. For the DMS, the main applications are described together with the experience in the implantation of the GIS interface. For SCADA the emphasis of this document is in the experience related with the extensive use of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to get the real time information of the distribution feeders, the use of a trunking system for the exchange of information with automated distribution network points and the integration experience of several manufacturers with different communication protocols needed to comply with the project requirements. The main benefits obtained as well as the risks taken and the main solutions adopted are illustrated for this ambitious project. All project phases are operational and have provided EPM and its users important benefits, and thus have provided for a better corporate image