An advanced flexible and reliable distribution system

In this paper, the authors propose a new concept of electrical power distribution system named “flexible, reliable and intelligent and energy conservative distribution system (FRIENDS)”. In the near future, electrical power systems will be facilitated by dispersed energy resources and dispersed energy storages on the demand side. The electrical power distribution system itself will have to be changed to cope with these facilities. The authors propose a flexible power distribution system for such a situation. Noticeable characteristics for the proposed system (FRIENDS) are flexible network reconfiguration for uninterrupted power supply through power electronics devices, new protective relaying schemes, online information service to customers (including automated metering), DSM and home automation as well as multi-quality power supply. In this paper, the new concept of the power distribution system of FRIENDS is explained, and how the new functions can be realized is discussed