Oncor Electric Delivery Smart Grid initiative

The purpose of this paper is to detail the components of the Oncor Smart Grid Initiative. The goals of the initiative are to provide remote meter reading capability, enhance the view that operators have into the electric system, take advantage of microprocessor based relaying capabilities to analyze system disturbances, and provide systems which function without operator intervention. The initiative includes replacing existing meters with smart meter technology, installing a new DMS/OMS, providing communications connectivity to devices in the distribution arena, installing automated switches and switchgear, providing high speed corporate connectivity to substations/switchyards, and developing a program to automatically retrieve and evaluate fault records from microprocessor based relays. And of course, a very important aspect of the initiative will be the ability to connect field devices to a secure, reliable, and cost effective communications system.