Test bench for self-healing functionalities applied on distribution network with distributed generators

Abstract

Increasing complexity of interconnected electricity grids with a high integration level of dispersed generators leads that “business as usual” operating modes and regular devices in distribution networks are not efficient enough to ensure the centralized management of a large amount of information and high-level functionalities (Advanced Distribution Automation-ADA) for future electricity distribution networks. This weakness could be solved by distributing the management system locally and by smartly using advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems. This paper is based on the work performed within the European research project INTEGRAL. It presents a new research path to investigate the validation of an active distribution system, with high integration of ICTs, through an reduced scale analogical demonstration network. The analogical (µGrid) construction, which relies on a real French distribution network, is introduced and detailed. Then, the high level ICT systems enabling self-healing functionalities will be presented to explain how Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and ICT hardware will be coordinated in this µGrid. Finally, the µGrid reduction procedures will be validated in this paper through both static and dynamic simulations.