Web-based Real-Time States Monitoring of Utility Distribution Systems with Alternate Energy Sources

As an addition to bulk electricity generations by utilities, dispersed generations (DGs) from alternative energy resources have become increasingly popular and started to show benefits, but their connection to distribution systems brings operation challenges that must be carefully monitored. This paper proposes a new web-based, real-time monitoring strategy for tracking the operating states of the distribution system connected with DGs using state-of-the-art digital signal processing (DSP) technology. The design of a new network monitoring architecture is presented in this paper. This architecture is fault tolerant and has features from classical cascading, star, and ring architectures. The paper presents the real-time data acquisition and data post-processing strategy, design, and implementation in three levels: Cell units for monitoring feeder-tapped circuits including DG circuit connected on the feeder, Node unit for feeder and substation-level equipment, and Station unit for distribution network. The design of new DSP-controlled monitoring units is presented in this paper.