A Distributed Power System Control Architecture for Improved Distribution System Resiliency

Abstract

Electric distribution systems around the world are seeing an increasing number of utility-owned and non-utility-owned (customer-owned) intelligent devices and systems being deployed. New deployments of utility-owned assets include self-healing systems, microgrids, and distribution automation. Non-utilityowned assets include solar photovoltaic generation, behind-the-meter energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. While these deployments provide potential data and control points, the existing centralized control architectures do not have the flexibility or the scalability to integrate the increasing number or variety of devices. The communication bandwidth, latency, and the scalability of a centralized control architecture limit the ability of these new devices and systems from being engaged as active resources. This paper presents a standards-based architecture for the distributed power system controls, which increases operational flexibility by coordinating centralized and distributed control systems. The system actively engages utility and non-utility assets using a distributed architecture to increase reliability during normal operations and resiliency during extreme events. Results from laboratory testing and preliminary field implementations, as well as the details of an ongoing full-scale implementation at Duke Energy, are presented. INDEX TERMS Distributed control, microgrids, power distribution, power system protection, smart grids.

Power System Resilience: Current Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions

“…Resilience enhancement strategies for both electric power distribution and transmission systems are gaining significant momentum [108]- [114]. Although resilience enhancement at the distribution level has gained significant interest [7], [56], [75], several resilience enhancement methods have been proposed for the transmission level [45], [115] and for the interdependent systems such as power and natural gas systems [78], [90], [116].…”

Resilient distribution system leveraging distributed generation and microgrids: a review

“…It should be noted that the existing restoration strategies are mostly based on centralised control architectures, which are also subject to damage or even breakdown caused by extreme events. To overcome this issue, a standards‐based distributed architecture for electrical distribution system control is proposed in [54 ]. The utility and non‐utility assets are coordinated by the proposed distributed architecture to increase reliability during normal operations and resiliency during extreme events.…”

A Multi Platform for Utility using openFMBTM Reference Architecture: Chalenges and Lessons Learned

“…Apart from that, the relationship of cost and performance need to be analyzed as it applies to integrating adapters at the edge of the Grid devices. However, installation of new adapters does not require the need to modify other controllers [13].…”

“…Cybersecurity weakness in the network may pose a great threat to grid reliability [1]. The level of threat is further increased by the fact that physical devices are located outside of secured locations [13].…”