IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020 - 24

each level coordinated to ensure that the grid continues
to function in a reliable and resilient manner. Distributed architectures will also help manage the data deluge
by ensuring that only the required data are delivered
to the right system when needed. Similarly, operations
can also be performed by other business entities, such
as microgrids, aggregators, and residences within their
own sphere of influence. Distribution at these operational levels is necessary with the advent of DERs, microgrids, and other NWAs, where the management and
control of activities on the grid is no longer the sole
purview of the utility. Operations at the different levels
must be shared and coordinated.
✔ Distributed and coordinated planning: Actions taken
at a local or microgrid level must be coordinated and
planned so that they work together instead of potentially being in conflict with each other.

A Focus on Standards
The structure of the grid is starting to resemble distributed
computing, meaning that we are at a crossroads. The future
grid could develop with a lack of communication across systems, or standards could develop allowing all business entities and their systems, either centralized or distributed, to
communicate with each other in close to real time. This is
not a new problem. However, the cost of integration in distribution systems can make desired rollouts unaffordable from
a business development perspective.
For this ecosystem to work together, the standards should
cover the following:
✔ Power system model: The power system model is a fundamental part of how distribution systems function and operate. With the exception of D-SCADA, most systems, such
as OMSs, advanced applications, and DERMSs, require
a common underlying power system model that needs to
be fully coordinated to successfully work together across
these systems. This is necessary for ensuring that
* all of the components are represented appropriately
in the model and with the correct topology
* each component model includes all of the characteristics required for solving such algorithms as power
flow and VVO.
In most utilities, this information is stored in a system,
such as the GIS. One of the key standards that exists in this
space is the common information model (CIM) (covered
under IEC Standards 61970 and 61968). It is also one of
the most commonly used models for both T&D solutions.
✔ Applications (or component) integration interfaces:
Systems supporting the needs of distribution systems are
still evolving, and, as a result, at most utilities they are
not implemented as monolithic systems. D-SCADA systems, OMSs, advanced applications, DERMSs, and others are commonly designed as independent systems and
applications. Other systems require an interface with the
systems defined here. Standards continue to evolve. The
24

ieee power & energy magazine

establishment of CIM and MultiSpeak is under way, and
they are commonly used in distribution systems.
✔ Device interaction protocols: The number and types of
devices in the field have come a long way from the remote terminal unit-based devices previously used and
accessed through SCADA systems. These now include
distribution automation (DA), inverters (for solar PVs),
and a host of others that come under the nomenclature
the Internet of Things (IoT). Several standards exist in
this space, including Distributed Network Protocol 3,
IEC 61850, and the smart inverter standard.

Where Do We Go From Here?
Let's start with a hypothetical case study where utilities
advise customers of outages and restoration times. Here the
systems of the utility's front office, back office, and midoffice are all integrated and, most importantly, related to the
customer. Many of the foundational elements come from
automation and the supporting architecture discussed in
this article that deliver reliable power at a reasonable cost. If
the architecture was not in place, the utility would perform
the functions in an uncoordinated way, leading to increased
cost to the customer and inefficient operations at the utility.

New Technologies and Technical Constructs
Customers can consider disconnecting from the grid by
using new technologies, such as distributed renewable generation, energy storage, EVs, smart building systems, and
data analytics. Although most customer-generation capabilities are not yet fully renewable or cost competitive, the current trend shows reduced costs and a greater availability of
power from renewable sources. The tipping point has been
achieved in some conducive markets (such as California) and
is imminent in others.
Deploying hardware and software platforms in homes
and buildings within a geographical area allows the
formation of microgrids or community electrification
options, such as community choice aggregations (see
"Community Choice Aggregation"), that will represent a
new opportunity and challenge to existing utility operations. These capabilities may be attractive to college
campuses, which often use microgrids to study how they
work rather than to fully disconnect from the grid. The
technologies are becoming mainstream, however, and
could attract a larger segment of the population, which
may want to disconnect from the grid or not have a grid
with which to connect.

New Business Constructs and Models
Retail energy providers have long been in place at both the
wholesale and retail level in Texas. Since then, retail level
competition (retail choice) has been established in many
other U.S. states and in several countries.
The advent of new technologies such as DERs, storage,
and microgrids has given rise to a new business construct
january/february 2020



IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020

Contents
IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020 - Cover1
IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020 - Cover2
IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020 - Contents
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IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2020 - Cover3
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