Technology deployment status of U.S. smart Grid projects — Electric distribution systems

Upgrade of electric distribution networks is vital for unified modernization of the grid. To fulfill this prerequisite and contribute to the overall development of the smart grid, the U.S. government awarded up to 50% federal grants to 57 Electric Distribution Systems (EDS) projects in the Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) program under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This paper presents a quantitative study of the technology deployment status of these projects. In this paper, EDS projects are classified in four groups based on the number of substations in their respective service territories. Numeric comparison is provided depending on the portion of the distribution systems that has been modernized with distribution automation (DA), SCADA, and based on number of DA devices installed. Finally, projects with the highest progress (in 2009-2012) are identified based on these analyses.