Integrated ICT framework for distribution network with decentralized energy resources: Prototype, design and development

Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) are facing ever-increased complexity due, in part, to fast growing consumer demands and the integration of large amounts of distributed energy resources. The conventional operation modes need to be adapted to the significant changes. With advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and sophisticated new functionalities for energy management, “Smart Grid” is becoming the most forward-looking solution to address these facing challenges. Having initiated a conceptual model, architecture, and implementation plan for the system in previous European research projects (CRISP [1] and MICROGRID [2]). A new integrated platform for ICT based distributed control and local management is currently being designed, with the goal of demonstrating the feasibility of these new concepts. The overarching design of coordination and control between the real automation devices and power system components will be carried out with an analogical micro network (μGrid) including real power operation components such as RTUs. Therefore, some high level functions relied on advanced ICT system such as fault management; voltage control and adaptive reconfiguration are developed and tested for this purpose.