IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - September/October 2016 - 25

substations, the use of local regulators that modify the injection of reactive power, and the centralized control of reactive
power production to optimize the voltage profiles along feeders. The modulation of active power generated or consumed
by users requires the availability of communication between
the control center (or primary substation) and the users. This
control function can be implemented for providing balancing and ancillary services that are useful both at the system
and local levels. The use of energy storage was also tested
in the pilot projects to smooth the active and reactive power
at the transmission-distribution interface, give back-up power
during short interruptions, black-start a limited portion of a
network, and manage the charging stations of EVs.
From the protection perspective, two functions were
tested by the pilot projects to reduce the number of costumers
affected by network reconfiguration maneuvers. This includes
the remote tripping of generators (in fewer than 200 ms) due
to islanding as well as advanced fault location and isolation
using low latency communication systems; truly innovative
functions tested in the Italian pilot projects. The protection
systems developed for the pilot projects allows for significantly improving the reliability indexes for all network users,
including the generators that are normally all disconnected

by the loss of mains relay (even when not necessary). Besides
avoiding or reducing network investments, this solution could
also enable better reliability in densely populated urban areas
in which network reinforcements are not easy to carry out.

Incentivizing Necessary Investments
To introduce output-based incentives, it is necessary to identify metrics that enable an effective and simple representation of the main benefits attainable through the investments
under consideration. The quality of service indicators utilized in the Italian incentive-based regulation (rewards/penalties) exhibit such a trait. Thus, the metrics to be adopted for
the promotion of investments in smart distribution systems
shall have to be subject to the following general criteria:
✔ Reliability: the indicators must not be influenced by
variables outside the control of the subject on whom
the incentives/penalties rest.
✔ Objectivity: indicators must be measured in an accurate, objective, and fair manner so as to reduce any
possible dispute and litigation.
✔ Simplicity: indicators must be capable of bearing an
immediate relation to the benefit linked with a specific investment.

table 2. Functionalities of smarter distribution networks.
Smart Functionality

Main Actor(s)

Ability to Work Without
Communication with Users

General Application

Observability

DNOs

Yes

Monitoring

Voltage regulation

DNOs and active users

Yes

Control

Active power management of
users

DNOs and active users

No

Control

Avoidance of MV islanding

DNOs and active users

No (alternative local solutions
can be adopted)

Protection

Advanced MV network
operation

DNOs

Yes (communication with network
elements is necessary)

Control and
protection

Storage

DNOs

Yes

Control

table 3. AEEGSI's levels of observability.
Level

Description

Communication

Role players

1

Continuous forecast of DG and load
based on weather forecasts and/or
historical data from primary substations

Only between the primary sub and the DNO's
control room (already existent) and between
DNOs and TSOs (to be reinforced)

DNOs and
TSOs

2

Correction of forecasts through the
utilization of sensors installed in the
primary sub or located in secondary
stations already remote controlled

Same as level 1 + between primary subs
and sensors (already existent)

DNOs and
TSOs

3

Correction of forecasts through the utilization Same as level 2 + between DNOs/TSOs
of production data of sample plants already
and GSEs
reached by satellite system managed by the
energy services operator (GSE)

DNOs, TSOs,
and GSEs

4

Correction of forecasts through the
utilization of production data sent by the
DG plants

DNOs, TSOs,
GSEs, and active
users

september/october 2016

Same as level 2 or 3 + continuous
communication between primary subs and
active users

ieee power & energy magazine

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