Smart Grid distribution automation for public power

A significant opportunity within Smart Grid is distribution power delivery through advanced protection and switching such as fault detection isolation restoration (FDIR), voltage reduction, and volt/var control. Many utilities and public power companies are currently involved in four areas of development and pilot projects, FDIR and volt/var control via a distribution management system (DMS), and distributed substation control (DSC). For large Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) it is likely they will employ all solutions. Due to fewer source and load interactions, Public Power may not require the same functionality. The purpose of the paper is to present the solutions for FDIR and volt/var control. Further discussion will include factors when a utility, public power or municipality should select only distributed substation control (DSC).