Improving performance of underground MV distribution networks using distribution automation system: A case study

Towards the complete vision of smart distribution grid, this paper presents a generic framework and strategy for the implementation of distribution automation system (DAS). Fault location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR) is one of the most beneficial and desirable applications of DAS for self-healing and reliability improvement of distribution networks. FLISR is implemented on an actual, urban, underground medium voltage (MV) distribution network based on substation-centralized scheme, called SC-FLISR. The complete structure and procedure of SC-FLISR are introduced. The fully automation level is defined to be implemented in such network. To examine the level of reliability improvement and customers’ satisfaction enhancement, a reliability assessment study is applied for the proposed automated distribution network. The results presented in this paper emphasize that the proposed automated network has a high reliability level compared to non-automated network, where the results indicate clearly that reliability indices such as SAIDI and AENSI are reduced significantly.