Diagnosis of advanced distribution automation in the Brazilian electric sector distribution

A strategic R&D project was developed in Brazil during 2011, aiming at elaborating a national plan for the evolution of smart grids within the next twenty years. The project was developed as to diagnose the current state of the Brazilian Electric Sector Distribution as regards to technologies involved in this concept. This paper presents such a "Diagnosis" considering the research of the situation of Advanced Distribution Automation (ADA) in Brazil, stratified by functionality types, features implemented, segments of the distribution system contemplated, technology equipment, and associated IT infrastructure and communications. In order to establish the current state of Distribution Automation in Brazil, the following activities were carried out: ; Questionnaire distributed to affiliates of ABRADEE (Brazilian Association of Electricity Distributors), in order to assess the current state of distribution automation companies in the country. : Literature overview on the issue of national distribution automation, with primary focus for smart grids. These activities resulted in an overview of the current stage of the distribution companies in Brazil. The questionnaire was answered by a group of companies, which serves about 60% of the Brazilian market, thus representing quite well the national reality.