Advanced Metering Infrastructure—Towards a Reliable Network

Abstract

In order to ensure continuous energy supply, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) have to monitor and analyze the condition of the power grid, especially checking for random events, such as breakdowns or other disturbances. Still, relatively little information is available on the operation of the Low Voltage (LV) grid. This can be improved thanks to digital tools, offering online processing of data, which ultimately increases effectiveness of the power grid. Among those tools, the use of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is especially conducive for improving reliability. AMI is one of the elements of the system Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for the LV grid. Exact knowledge of the reliability conditions of a power grid is also indispensable for optimizing investment. AMI is also key in providing operational capacity for carrying out energy balance in virtual power plants (VPPs). This paper deals with methodology of identification and location of faults in the AMI-supervised LV grid and with calculating the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) on the basis of the recorded events. The results presented in the paper are based on data obtained from seven MV/LV transformer stations that supply over 2000 customers.