Smart Model Based Coordinated Control Based on Feeder Losses, Energy Consumption, and Voltage Violations

There can be significant benefits to utilities for implementing automated and controllable devices. However, due to both the cost of smart devices and the cost of implementing the required monitoring, communication, and control, it is often not cost effective to update all devices on the system at once. This article presents an economic evaluation of a model-based distribution control scheme that is independent of circuit topology and integrates legacy and modern control equipment. Distributed engineering workstation simulation results show cost saving to both the customers and utility due to reduction of demand and losses. These cost savings provide the basis for assessing which feeders should be upgraded with smart devices.