Distribution Automation Using Wireless Communications for Improving Reliability

A distribution system is the part of an overall power system which links the bulk system to the individual customers. The primary goal of any distribution system is to supply reliable and quality power to the consumers economically. Therefore reliability indices like system average interruption duration index (SAIDI), customer average interruption duration index (CAIDI), average service availability index (ASAI) and voltage stability index are the important performance indices of a distribution system which need to be satisfied from the customer point of view. The edifice of distribution system automation is fast and reliable communication control technologies leading to reliable power delivery to the customers. Also the ever expanding power demand is increasing the complexity of power system, necessitating highly reliable, secure and efficient distribution system. An attempt has been made in this paper to assess the impact on reliability due to automatic feeder reconfiguration for smart distribution purposes.