Developing novel information and communications technology based solutions for smart distribution network operation

Future electricity distribution networks with mass deployment of network equipment sensors and instrumentation, millions of smart meters, small-scale embedded generation, and responsive load will generate vast amounts of data requiring near to real-time analysis. Novel ICT solutions will enable near to real-time state estimation across extensive distribution networks. Novel HPC tools and techniques have been recently developed to cost-effectively solve large scale computational challenges in other major scientific and engineering fields that require similarly scalable communications, computation and data analysis. Therefore it is also realistic to develop a new generation of distribution network management systems that exploit novel near to real-time HPC solutions with inherent security and intelligent communications for smart distribution network operation and management. In this paper cost effective scalable HPC solutions will be proposed and initially investigated for realistic distribution network data traffic and management scenarios involving state estimation.