SDNO: Smart Distribution Network Operation Project

The increasing diffusion of dispersed generation (DG) offers many benefits to the electric system, such as the better exploitation of the renewable energy potentials and higher efficiency in conversion from primary energy sources. However, the technical challenges for a fully functional and efficient DG-based development of the electric system are still many. One of the main problems is related to the integration of large amounts of DG in the traditional passive distribution networks, designed for unidirectional power flows and where island operation is not possible. The main goal of the SDNO project is to define and develop an integrated protection, automation and control system that can meet several targets: to improve the performances of the existing system, to optimise the investment and the maintenance costs and to reduce the barriers to the integration of large amounts of DG. The project takes into account four macro-areas of intervention: the HV/MV substation, the MV network automation, the communication networks and the main SCADA system. The main development trends and the respective progresses of the project are here presented.