By Satish Saini, HEXstream utility industry specialist

In the first part of this ADMS series, we discussed the need for T&D system efficiency triggered by various factors. In short, we explored how enhancing grid resiliency, reliability and stability benefits both the utility and utility customers through the transformation of business operations, along with added benefits like protecting the environment.

There are numerous technology platforms, products and solutions available to achieve these objectives, particularly for the distribution segment of the grid... the critical last leg in the process of supplying power to consumers. The distribution segment is greatly affected by climate changes and adverse weather events. As such Advanced Distribution Management Systems play a significant role in improving T&D infrastructure efficiency, utility operations, regulatory compliance and customer services.

Let's explore...

ADMS enables enhanced visibility into operational parameters of the grid infrastructure and status of grid assets through real-time monitoring and data analytics. This helps in assessing health and detecting anomalies in the network operations and assets performance.

This real-time monitoring and the further automatic operations of key devices help in monitoring and maintaining power quality (like voltage, frequency, reactive power) within standardized limits for optimal operation of the grid and to avoid equipment damage and reduced system losses.

ADMS helps efficiently manage outages and faults in the system by monitoring and analyzing real-time data and statuses available from field devices. ADMS performs this operation automatically, but in other cases operators can also efficiently restore power by isolating faulty areas and rerouting power through healthy sections of the grid. This faster detection, isolation and restoration improves power reliability of the utility network.

Real time monitoring and analysis of loading parameters of the network and grid assets (like transformers and feeders) helps balance loads across the network / feeders and key assets, as well preventing overloading specific areas, assets and phases. This mitigates equipment damage and enhances system efficiency. 

The monitoring functionality of ADMS in energy flow across the grid and its various sections helps utilities to optimize supply and demand with enhanced integration of Distributed Energy Resources (think DERs such as wind, solar and storage assets) with optimized utilization and enhanced stability and reliability.

The further application of artifical intelligence and machine learning algorithms helps in forecasting supply and demand patterns across the grid, enabling utilities to make planned arrangements for balancing the system through optimized generation / DERs and demand-response programs.

The use of AI/ML in ADMS further helps in predictive analysis and forecasting potential equipment failures across the grid, while enabling utilities to perform proactive/condition-based maintenance of critical assets, preventing potential failures and enhancing equipment lifecycles.

ADMS functionalities with the integration of other smart technologies like AMI/smart metering, IoT, sensors, power-flow tools and technologies, and advanced data analytics help to accurately detect, analyze and report T&D/energy losses (both technical and non-technical, such as like theft and pilferage) across various sections of the grid. This helps enhance overall system efficiency and utility productivity and profitability.

The real-time monitoring of key parameters and data-driven insights with analytics (as above) provides utilities the tools and resources for better decision-making in planning and prioritizing investments in grid-infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, replacements and modernizing.

ADMS capability to monitor power flow across the network on a real-time basis, along with the integration of DERs and other technologies into the system, can help integrate demand-side management/demand response with customers to adjust their energy-usage patterns and help balance supply and demand, especially during peak times. This leads to enhanced customer engagement and better services.

The data available from ADMS about numerous operational parameters along with analytics can help generate relevant reports on reliability, outages, assets performance, supply and demand, energy efficiency and losses, customer services and more, which assists regulatory compliance and reporting as enables an efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly grid.

To conclude, ADMS with relevant analytics helps utility companies in enhancing operational efficiency, productivity and profitability. It enables efficient operation, maintenance, reliability and performance of T&D grid infrastructure. It further helps in grid stability and supply/ demand balances through DERs integration and demand-side management with enhanced customer engagement. All this also facilitates efficient regulatory compliance and reporting, sustainability and the creation of an environmentally friendly grid.

Click here to contact us for details as to how ADMS with relevant analytics can help your utility achieve the wins detailed above. And stay tuned for the next installment of this ADMS series, in which we'll explore system architecture and other key features and functionalities of ADMS.