At the Distributech conference held February 2-5 in San Diego, Calif., AREVA T&D simulated a 21st century distribution control room environment, showcasing the latest in real-time management of distribution systems. The company’s e-terradistribution® software was projected onto a large mapboard, exhibiting the applications that allow utilities to configure their distribution systems to meet current and future needs.
by Joe Adamoli
A production version of the AREVA T&D Integrated Distribution Management System based on e-terradistribution® software recently went live at Florida Power and Light Company.
Florida Power and Light Company is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States. AREVA was chosen by FPL to provide a Transmission Energy Management System (EMS) and a Distribution Management System (DMS) with a common SCADA system shared by the EMS and DMS. The resulting project represents a major accomplishment (a fully Integrated Distribution Management System), and is creating a customer demand buzz, demonstration requests, and requests for quotation.
The successful delivery also satisfies two business cases by FPL: 1) replace static mapboard-based operations; and, 2) install Fault Location and Fault Isolation and Service Restoration applications.
Replacing static mapboard-based operations allows efficient operations through the consolidation of control centers, and greater flexibility in storm restoration activities.
The Fault Location application determines potential fault locations along the distribution circuits, allowing dispatchers to more effectively dispatch field crews to isolate the faulted portion of the distribution network. After the fault has been located, the Fault Isolation and Service Restoration application can be utilized to find switching plans that restore power to the largest number of customers, improving the overall distribution system reliability performance, and increasing customer satisfaction.
According to Ethan Boardman, AREVA Product Manager for DMS, the Florida Power and Light project has established a higher standard for distribution network management systems. Said Boardman, “In terms of scale, performance, and functionality it is the most aggressive distribution management system to be implemented and operational anywhere in the world. The Integrated Distribution Management System offering is being rapidly emulated by all of the competition.”
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