Distribution Automation –

Convergence of Monitoring, Control,

and Protection

Fortunato C. Leynes, Energy Management

Anthony G. Abrau, SCADA
Manila Electric Company
April 2004
 Table of Contents

1. ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 3

2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 3

3. CONVERGENCE DRIVERS ............................................................................................... 3

3.1. Emerging technologies ................................................................................................ 4
3.2. Restructured Industry................................................................................................... 4
3.3. Empowered customers ................................................................................................ 5
3.4. Distribution Automation (DA)........................................................................................ 5
4. DA AND CONVERGENCE ................................................................................................. 6
4.1. Why DA is the Convergence Point of Monitoring, Control, and Protection?.................. 6
4.2. The DA Program in Meralco......................................................................................... 7
4.3. The Distribution Automation System (DAS) Master Station.......................................... 7
4.4. Substation Automation (SA) Devices ........................................................................... 8
4.4.1 D20 RTUs & D200 Data Concentrators: Monitoring, Metering, and Control .............. 8
4.4.2 Nexus Meter-IEDs: Power Quality Monitoring and Metering ..................................... 9
4.4.3 SEL Relay-IEDs: Protection and Monitoring.............................................................. 9
4.5. Feeder Automation (FA) Devices ................................................................................10
4.5.1 Remote Controlled Line Switches (RCLS) and Controllers ......................................10
4.5.2 Remote Controlled Line Reclosers, Voltage Regulators, Line Capacitors and
Controllers ...............................................................................................................11
4.5.3 Distribution Transformer Monitoring Devices ...........................................................11
5. IMPACT OF CONVERGENCE ..........................................................................................11

6. SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................12

7. REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................12

2
1. Abstract
Electric utilities see the necessity to move towards an intelligent electricity network. They
envision an infrastructure that provides a higher level of system reliability, efficiency, and power
quality and one that can handle the complexities of energy delivery.

Also, manufacturers and vendors of energy-related products and services refocus their
R&D efforts towards distribution automation (DA). They produce systems and products that
support a smart electricity infrastructure, where real-time data and intelligent information play
important roles.

This paper presents DA as the convergence point of monitoring, control, and protection
in electric power distribution and how it is driven by new technologies, by the requirements of
customers for quality power and service, and by the deregulated electricity industry itself. This
paper also presents convergence as seen through Meralco’s DA program.

2. Introduction
The role of electricity has never been as crucial as it is today. Its impact on economic
growth and stability has never been well emphasized with the restructuring of the electricity
industry. It has become a critical infrastructure in which many others depend.

Electricity use in the US and similar economies have risen from 25% in the ‘70s to nearly
40% of the total energy consumption going into the 21st century. It will continue to grow as more
efficient and intelligent processes are introduced into industry, business, homes, and
transportation1.

Developments in related technologies in communications, power electronics,

microprocessor-based systems, information technology, and power system protection are
redefining business processes and changing systems, products, and services.

The electric industry gained much from this technological revolution especially in the
field of automation. Electric utilities take advantage of the benefits of DA to give them an
effective means to manage their distribution systems efficiently. With real-time data as the basic
foundation, DA expands the distribution system from a mere network of poles and wires into an
information highway and sparks convergence of many electricity-related technologies.

3. Convergence Drivers
Convergence is the integration of different functions and applications into one system or
equipment. However, it is not a straightforward integration but an evolution of technological
requirements and its corresponding applications.

Emerging technologies, new requirements from customers, and the new industry
environment influence convergence.

1
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) et al., Electricity Technology Roadmap Initiative, a collaborative
exploration of more than 150 electricity stakeholders that maps the future of electric power, California, USA, 1999

3
3.1. Emerging technologies
The advances in the information age have made R&D efforts to focus on new systems
and products that satisfy the new requirements of both utilities and technology manufacturers.
New integrated systems give rise to system architectures that encourage cost-effective
technology migration.

Product innovations made new equipment in the substations and in distribution feeders
smarter and with better connectivity because of their multi-functional capabilities, wider scope of
applications, and extensive library of real-time data and protocols. These new products are
reshaping substations and distribution feeders and give rise to substation automation (SA) and
feeder automation (FA), in particular, and DA, in general.

Below is a table showing how one enabling technology, communication, drives

convergence and dictates substation automation.

Figure 1: Characteristics of Enabling Technologies2

Conventional Tomorrow’s
Function Today’s Technology
Technology Technology
Logic in software, direct Distributed system with
Hardwired logic, data analogue-to-digital multifunction IEDs for
SCADA acquisition via transducers conversion for data, some control, monitoring, and
use of IEDs for data data acquisition
collection and control
Discrete electromechanical Mixture of conventional Multifunction relays with
Protection or static analogue relays and microprocessor-based inter-relay communication
multifunction relays via substation LAN
LAN-based communication
Wiring between between IEDs for control,
primary and Multi-conductor copper Multi-conductor copper protection, and monitoring.
secondary equipment cables cables Extended LAN or process
bus communications to
switchgear IEDs
Serial connection of LAN and process bus
Communication secondary equipment to connection with standard
Protocols within the None station unit with commonly protocols (IEC 61850)
substation used protocols for control
and protection (IEC 60850-
5-101, Modbus, DNP3)
Migration to standard Continued migration to
Communication Serial multi-drop protocols (IEC 60850-5- standard protocols,
between substation connection using 101, DNP3 including the use of WAN-
and control centers predominantly proprietary based communication
protocols (DNP3, IEC 60850-5-104,
IEC 61968, and 61970

3.2. Restructured Industry

The restructured industry created a new competitive environment in the generation and
supply sectors and opened both opportunities and challenges. And while the transmission and
distribution sectors remained monopolies, they too have to “compete” with more stringent
technical and service standards and a new performance-based rating. The Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC) has already approved the Philippine Distribution Code and the Philippine

2
Walter Baass et al., Why Do Existing Substations Need to be Automated, CIGRE Colloquium Australia 2003

4
Grid Code which set technical performance standards that the distribution utilities and
transmission network operator have to comply with.

Electric utilities re-engineer and streamline their operations to fit in to a new structure
and survive. They explore the technology market for tools to improve efficiency and power
quality.

Figure 2: The Restructured Electric Power Industry

Generation Transmission Distribution/Supply Consumers

Privatized Spot
Gencos Market Industrial

New Retail
Gencos Suppliers Commercial
System
IPP’s Control
Residential

Own Distribution
Generation (Wires) Others
Transmission

Legend: Energy Transaction Power Flow

3.3. Empowered customers

Deregulation turned electricity consumers into customers and gave them the power of
choice and choice of power.

Customers want clean and quality power at a reasonable cost. They want efficiency and
quality service from their providers, one that could give a speedy resolution to their problems.
Customers drive providers to optimize their service.

3.4. Distribution Automation (DA)

DA integrates systems and functions and redefines the monitoring, control, and
protection architecture in the electric distribution system. This is DA as a technology.

DA provides the nerve center of an electric utility with the intelligence to monitor,
coordinate, operate, and control the entire distribution system in real-time mode. This is DA as a
tool.

DA’s integrative nature, either as a technology or as a tool, makes it a convergence point

for functions, applications, or architectures used in control centers, substations, and distribution
lines of an electric utility.

5
4. DA and Convergence
Distribution automation best illustrates the convergence of monitoring, control, and
protection systems as it transforms the electric distribution system into an intelligent network.

4.1. Why DA is the Convergence Point of Monitoring, Control, and Protection?

DA rides on the electric system and telecommunications infrastructures. It utilizes
system-wide and real-time data for its intelligent applications used to manage the electric
distribution system. DA has two converging points: software and hardware.

In the “software” side of DA, the points of convergence for monitoring, control, and
protection are the advanced applications and functions and intelligent algorithms. Modeling and
simulations using mathematical tools and real-time field data allow for the development of
software and programs that find real-world applications in the management and operation of the
electric distribution system.

Examples of these applications3 are distribution operation analysis (DOA) and fault
location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR). DOA supports the operator in assessing the
current state of the network, considerably increasing operating reliability and enhancing
economic network management. FLISR allows automatic detection and location of fault,
determination of switching operations required to isolate the fault, and determination of the
supply options until the fault has been remedied.

In the field of power system protection, protection algorithms give rise to protection
devices and applications that make use of pattern recognition or pattern matching algorithms
such as artificial neural networks and artificial intelligence. Pattern recognition techniques are
employed in distance protection to identify faults. Adaptive relays, also used in distance
protection, respond and make decisions according to system conditions.

Also, system protection schemes take advantage of the accuracy of GPS in time-
stamping data and the development in communications to come up with a new level of
intelligence through the use of wide area protection (WAP). WAP, also called “last ditch
defense”, initiates the final attempt at stabilizing the power system when a widespread collapse
is imminent4.

Microprocessor-based coordinated protection, monitoring, and control systems are the

key to innovations in power system operating philosophy. The coordinated system is clearly the
future of relaying technology5.

In the “hardware” side of DA, the points of convergence are the major components of the
DA infrastructure, i.e., the master station, the substations, and the distribution feeders.

3
Utility Consulting International, Long-Term Plan on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, Distribution
Automation, and Telecommunications Systems for the Manila Electric Company, California, USA, December
1996
4
Jim Wilks, Developments in Power System Protection, Annual Conference of Electric Energy Association of
Australia, Canberra ACT, August 2002
5
Miroslav Bigovic, Damir Novosel, and Mile Milisavljevic, Trends in Power System Protection and Control,
rd
Proceedings of the 23 Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 1999 IEEE

6
Convergence manifests in two ways: a) among equipment or processes within each component
and b) among components.

Computer and communications technologies enable equipment in substations or feeders

to collect data, process, and convert it into intelligent information for use by an advanced
application. The equipment can also “talk” to other equipment and “knows” the actual condition
of neighboring equipment or vice versa. This also applies among major components – master
station, substations, and distribution feeders.

4.2. The DA Program in Meralco

Meralco launched its DA program in 1997 after it finalized the long-term plan for its
SCADA and Distribution Automation infrastructure. The plan was the output of a study
conducted by Utility Consulting International (UCI), a California-based electric utility consulting
firm, in 1996.

The gist of the UCI study6 is the establishment of a DA infrastructure that requires a new
distribution automation system (DAS) master station plus thousands of substation and feeder
remote terminal units (RTUs). It also includes thousands of remote controlled line switches
(RCLS), remote controlled line reclosers (RCLR), remote controlled line capacitor controllers
(RCLCC), and remote controlled line voltage regulators (RCLVR).

Meralco’s DA infrastructure is grouped into three (3) major components namely, master
station, substation automation, and feeder automation.

Figure 3: Meralco’s Distribution Automation (DA) Infrastructure

SCADA-DAS Master Station Feeder Automation

Substation Automation DA Field Devices

(RCLS, RCLR, RCLC, RCVR)

Electronic Intelligent Devices

Substation RTU/SCS/
Gateway/DC Meter-IEDs Relay-IEDs

4.3. The Distribution Automation System (DAS) Master Station

The master station is the nerve center of a utility company’s electric system. It enables
the utility to monitor, coordinate, operate, and control the entire system in real-time mode. Aside

6
Utility Consulting International, Long-Term Plan on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, Distribution
Automation, and Telecommunications Systems for the Manila Electric Company, California, USA, December
1996

7
from its basic SCADA functionality, the DAS has special functions and advanced applications.
Below are some of these applications7:

1. Feeder Reconfiguration and Transformer Load Balancing

• maximizes loading of the distribution network and prevents adverse operating
conditions and unwanted outages. It minimizes losses and optimizes distribution
line and transformer capacities.
2. Volt-VAR Control
• optimizes the system voltage profile and power factor, minimizes power losses,
and improves power quality.
3. Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration
• allows automatic detection and location of fault, determination of switching
operations required to isolate the fault, and determination of the power source
options until the fault has been remedied.
4. Intelligent Alarm Processing
• an expert system that provides immediate evaluation of the disturbance in the
power system and provides the operator sufficient information about the nature
and the consequences of the disturbance for decision support. It prevents
information overload on the operator.
5. Outage Management and Analysis
• a collection of functions, tools, and procedures that allows the operator to
manage the detection, location, isolation, correction, and restoration of forced
distribution line outages. It is also used to manage planned outages.
6. Security Analysis
• a facility that provides the operator with information about the steady-state
security of the power system for all possible contingencies.
7. Reliability-Centered Maintenance
• a new approach to preventive maintenance from a time-based scheduled
maintenance to a condition-based maintenance. It reduces maintenance cost,
minimizes equipment down time, maximizes performance, and extends
equipment life.

These advanced DAS applications cover a wide range of functions and are very much
dependent on real-time information from remote devices in substations and distribution feeders.

The availability of system-wide information and communications make integration of

functions and automation possible. It eliminates island technologies in the remote substations.

4.4. Substation Automation (SA) Devices

Remote terminal units (RTUs), data concentrators (DCs), intelligent electronic devices
(IEDs), and communication equipment provide integration tools and intelligence to the
substation.
4.4.1 D20 RTUs & D200 Data Concentrators: Monitoring, Metering, and Control
RTUs and data concentrators make up the core intelligence in the substations as
they handle the main substation SCADA – monitoring, metering, and control.
7
Nixon G. Hao, Energy Management in a Deregulated Electricity Industry, POWERTECH Philippines 2003,
Manila, Philippines, September 2003

8
 With their multi-ported architecture and distributed processing capabilities, RTUs
also act as sub-masters to various distribution feeder pole-top RTUs and as data
concentrators to the various substation meter-IEDs.

Some RTUs communicate with two or more master stations using MD3000-R12,
Harris 6000, and SINAUT protocols. All RTUs use DNP 3.0 protocol for downstream
communications and Meralco is currently moving towards replacing the three (3)
upstream protocols with DNP 3.0 also.

4.4.2 Nexus Meter-IEDs: Power Quality Monitoring and Metering

The Nexus 1250 IED is replacing existing transducers in the substations. It is
utilized not only as an ordinary metering device but also as a power quality monitoring
tool and performs limited breaker status monitoring for small substations. With its
multiple ports, the Nexus can be integrated into the substation LAN.

Figure 4: Meralco’s Substation Meter-Intelligent Electronic Device (M-IED)

Some Features
• Real Time Power Quality Monitoring and Analysis
• Fault & Harmonics Measurement & Phasor Analysis
• Archiving & Historical Trending
• Multiple Programmable Memory Logs
• RTU Capability – Expandable Analog & Digital I/Os
• Programmable Logical Protection & Control
• Multiple Communication Ports
• DNP 3.0 & Modbus Protocols
• Uploadable Flash Mememory
• Password Protected Security
• Billing Grade Power Metering
• Real Time Data Integration on the Web

The Meter-IEDs are also being utilized to perform system loss monitoring
functions at the substation level. Current efforts are being done to extend it to the
distribution feeders and utilize its real-time data integration capability via GSM.

4.4.3 SEL Relay-IEDs: Protection and Monitoring

Meralco uses digital relays for its transmission, transformer, and distribution
protection. These digital relays are replacing the existing stand-alone electromechanical
and solid-state relays in the substations.

An example is the SEL 351A, a digital distribution protection relay used for over-
current protection.

The SEL 351A is capable of performing other functions such as under and over-
frequency protection, reclosing control, capacitor control, metering and monitoring, fault
location estimates, and automation functions. Like the Nexus, SEL relays have LAN-
based communication capabilities.

9
 Figure 5: Meralco’s Substation Relay-Intelligent Electronic Devices (R-IEDs)

Distribution Protection Transmission Protection

Transformer Protection

4.5. Feeder Automation (FA) Devices

4.5.1 Remote Controlled Line Switches (RCLS) and Controllers

Meralco is using a compact remote controlled load break switch, the SCADA-
Mate. Its integrated design combines an SF6 interrupter, a manual disconnect, voltage
and current sensors, and a controller.

The SF6 is confined in the interrupter bottle that eliminates arcing during circuit
making and breaking. The built-in disconnect provides visible break during maintenance.
The sensors allow real-time data acquisition and the controller serves both as a pole-top
RTU and as a communication unit.

Aside from its basic sectionalizing and load shifting function, the SCADA-Mate is
capable of performing automatic fault location, isolation, and service restoration given
the appropriate software and controller.

Figure 6: Meralco’s Remote Control Line Switch

Interrupter Sensors

SCADA-Mate

Disconnect
Controller

10
 4.5.2 Remote Controlled Line Reclosers, Voltage Regulators, Line Capacitors and
Controllers
The installation of other remote controlled distribution feeder devices such as line
reclosers and line voltage regulators are still in the pilot stages. Currently, Meralco is
evaluating remote controlled line capacitor controllers for future installations.

4.5.3 Distribution Transformer Monitoring Devices

Meralco is preparing the implementation of real-time limited data monitoring of
distribution transformers (DTs) for the following reasons:
• Data requirements for the DAS master station advanced functionality on
distribution system power flow and outage management & analysis
• Real-time information at the DT secondary for the resolution of power outage
and voltage complaints from customers
• Load profiling of DTs to optimize loading, prevent DT failures, and minimize
power outages
• Support for system loss reduction efforts and system efficiency improvement

This DT project will utilize GSM technology. Equipment such as meter-IEDs,

micro RTUs, and GSM modems will be installed on poles. Micro RTUs send data
automatically through SMS to a data collector at the System Control Center. Micro RTUs
will also alarm line crews through cellular phones when system troubles occur.

5. Impact of Convergence
The convergence of monitoring, control, and protection will impact future system
operations and make utilities dynamic organizations. These are only some of its effects.

System Operations. The overall management of the power system will become even
more integrated and coordinated. DA will allow the operation of the system at lower margins for
a certain level of reliability8.

An example is the capability of DA to offer different options to the system operator at

different scenarios especially during system emergencies and is available in advisory or
automatic mode. DA can also provide intelligent alarm functions by categorizing different alarm
levels and guiding the operator to the very root of the problem thus, preventing information
overload.

Infrastructure. It will become more robust as new technologies make the infrastructure
smarter and adaptive to technology changes.

The master station will assume both centralized and decentralized roles depending on
the applications. Substation automation will no longer be considered an option or a luxury but as
a necessary tool for efficient operation. Island technologies in substations will be integrated
through LAN-based communications. Substation space will shrink as improved communication
technologies eliminate physical, hard-wired connections. Automation will extend to the
distribution feeders as communications bridge distances and pole-top technologies become
widespread.

8
Tim Taylor et al, The Distribution Working Group of the IEEE Power System Planning and Implementation
Committee, Planning for Effective Distribution, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, September/October 2003

11
 Monitoring, control, and protection will continue to deepen in sophistication but will be an
integrated system in the future. Convergence will impact organizational structure.

6. Summary
Distribution Automation (DA) spurs convergence of monitoring, control, and protection in
the power system. DA has an integrative nature because of its advanced functions involving
real-time, system-wide applications. It causes the unification of island technologies and major
components of the power system.

Convergence is driven by deregulation, evolving technologies, new automation systems,

and informed customers.

Electric utilities use DA as a strategic tool for survival9. They build an intelligent electric
distribution network by providing advanced applications to their control centers and automating
their substations and distribution feeders. They take advantage of the advances and trends in
power system protection and make their electricity network a coordinated and integrated
system, capable of responding to adverse system conditions without collapse.

Meralco is currently building its DA infrastructure in all three (3) fronts – master station,
substation automation, and feeder automation.

System-wide, real-time data is a source of intelligent information for the extensive

analysis of system disturbances and diagnostics of system conditions. Real-time information
exchange is crucial in keeping the stability and reliability of the system.

Information and communication technologies influence the direction of the operation of

the electric distribution system. Information is a powerful tool for decision making, operationally
and organizationally. There will be continuous rethinking of the utility’s business processes
since cutting-edge technology is, by nature, disruptive to the workflow process.

Manufacturers of technology and equipment will support a smart electricity infrastructure

as they incorporate utility requirements into their products.

7. References
1. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) et al., Electricity Technology Roadmap
Initiative, a collaborative exploration of more than 150 electricity stakeholders that maps
the future of electric power, California, USA, 1999

2. Walter Baass et al., Why Do Existing Substations Need to be Automated, CIGRE

Colloquium Australia 2003

9
Manuel C. Mendiola, Distribution Automation: A strategic Option for Electric Utilities in the Restructured and
Deregulated Environment, Manila Electric Company, Philippines

12
3. Utility Consulting International, Long-Term Plan on Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition, Distribution Automation, and Telecommunications Systems for the
Manila Electric Company, California, USA, December 1996

4. Jim Wilks, Developments in Power System Protection, Annual Conference of Electric

Energy Association of Australia, Canberra ACT, August 2002

5. Miroslav Bigovic, Damir Novosel, and Mile Milisavljevic, Trends in Power System
Protection and Control, Proceedings of the 23rd Hawaii International Conference on
System Sciences, 1999 IEEE

6. Working Group 07 of CIGRE Study Committee B5, The Automation of New and
Existing Substations: Why and How, August 2003

7. Nixon G. Hao, Energy Management in a Deregulated Electricity Industry,

POWERTECH Philippines 2003, Manila, Philippines, September 2003

8. Tim Taylor et al, The Distribution Working Group of the IEEE Power System Planning
and Implementation Committee, Planning for Effective Distribution, IEEE Power &
Energy Magazine, September/October 2003

9. Manuel C. Mendiola, Distribution Automation: A strategic Option for Electric

Utilities in the Restructured and Deregulated Environment, Manila Electric
Company, Philippines

13