Path towards PAS-55 in the Portuguese DSO: A working example in the protection and control systems

Traditionally, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) asset management practices are based on the operational performance of assets. However, in order to establish a better asset management practice, it is necessary to deploy developments in cooperate governance. British Standards Institution (BSI) PAS 55 is a publicly available guideline which specifies good practices in physical asset management and it could be an ideal tool and model available for asset cooperate governance of Distribution Network Operators. The 28-point requirements checklist in the BSI PAS 55 specification was applied to the management system of Protection and Control assets in EDP Distribuição (Portuguese DSO). A “gap analysis” assessment of the current asset management practices is employed and a report with the roadmap is produced to ensure that the engineering of Protection and Control Systems can help the Portuguese DSO to undergo the certification assessment process. A working example with the implementation of the BSI PAS 55 specifications to the asset of Ripple Control System is given along with the risk-based decision making process for that particular asset.