Next-generation Distribution Systems, Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering

Infrastructure
Muhammad Abdul Razak Bin Zambary (EC120129)
Muhammad Ridwan Bin Zulamran (EC12012)
Maulana Zulfikar Bin Asril (EC12051)

Abstract ~ smart grid is a system which

includes a variety of operational and energy
measures including smart meters, smart
appliances, renewable energy resources, and
energy efficiency resources. The objective is
to bring distribution engineering more
closely aligned to smart grid philosophy. In
particular, two transmission engineering
techniques are modified for use in
distribution engineering: state estimation,
and locational marginal pricing. The impact
of electronic control in distribution systems
is discussed. Because education and training
Have a great impact on distribution
engineering; these topics are discussed as
well.
I.

INTRODUCTION

Next-generation distribution actually

referred to our current electric grid was built
in the 1890s and improved upon as
technology advanced through each decade
[1].
Until today, it already generate
electricity more than 9,200 units with more
than 1 million megawatts of generating
capacity connected to more than 300,000
miles of transmission lines [1]. However, the
electric grid system is an old system that has
a lot of challenges such as centralized
communication
system
that
lacks
interoperability, inaccurate management
systems, and inefficient operations and
maintenance processes, all of which are
increasingly costly and hamper efforts to
maintain grid reliability [2]. To move
forward and overcome the problems, the
grid system needs transformation in order to
manage the increasing of demand on
electricity in the future. Since 2010, large
public and private investments totalling over
$9 billion made under the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

(ARRA) have advanced smart grid
technology deployments, providing realworld data on technology costs and benefits
along with best practices[3]. The Smart
Grid System in fact is combination of smart
sensor and advance metering infrastructures
(AMI) in order to create the vision for the
next generation distribution to the world but
it still under small tests by utilities [3]
II.

DISTRIBUTION
GENERATION SYSTEM

Distributed generation is the systems

that small-scale of electric power generators
that produce typically (1kW 50 kW),
besides produce electricity at a site close to
customers or that are tied to an electric
distribution system [1]. The systems starting
by energize energy from generation then
transmit to substation then delivered power
to load via prime distribution systems.
Traditionally, the primary distribution
system has been a radial network with many
feeders and laterals energized by these
feeders. However, there are distribution
systems that are networked. First of all what
is smart grid system? Smart grid can transfer
more energy efficient by reducing the need
for excess capacity and improve power
quality and safety .Smart grid can be better
monitoring and control of energy and grid
components in addition it improved data
capture and thus an improve outage
management. Besides that, smart grid is the
combination of the green energy resources
by granting real time information and twoway flow of electricity [2]. Highly
automated, responsive and self-healing
energy network with seamless interfaces

Next-generation Distribution Systems, Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering

Infrastructure
Muhammad Abdul Razak Bin Zambary (EC120129)
Muhammad Ridwan Bin Zulamran (EC12012)
Maulana Zulfikar Bin Asril (EC12051)

between all parts of the grid. The U.S.

Department of Energy Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability defines
smart grid by seven principal characteristics
as below [3].
1. Customer participation
2. Integration of all generation and
storage options
3. New markets and operations.
4. Power quality for the 21st Century.
5. Asset optimization and operational
efficiency.
6. Self-healing from disturbances, and
7. Resiliency against attacks and
disasters.

Figure 1: The old electric grid system

adopted
from,
Smartgridgov. (2015). Smartgridgov. Retrie
ved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/s
mart_grid.html

Figure 2: The Smart Grid System adopted

from,
Smartgridgov. (2015). Smartgridgov. Retrie
ved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/s
mart_grid.html

Next-generation Distribution Systems, Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering

Infrastructure
Muhammad Abdul Razak Bin Zambary (EC120129)
Muhammad Ridwan Bin Zulamran (EC12012)
Maulana Zulfikar Bin Asril (EC12051)

III.

SMART SENSOR

This is a growing need in both the

generation and distribution sectors. On the
generation side, sensors enable higher
efficiency base load operation of thermal
power plants through improved process
control, heat rate improvements, and turbine
and generator efficiency. Meanwhile,
complexity in distribution, especially in
dense urban areas, is driving the need for
next-generation SCADA systems that can
monitor the health and safety of
transmission lines and circuit breakers.
These include various combinations of
sensors to measure voltage, current,
capacitance, chemical, gas, humidity,
moisture, temperature, time synchronization,
and intelligent electronic devices (IED).
Wireless sensor networks (WSN) will be the
future technology of evolved SCADA
networks, possibly replacing the remote
terminal units (RTU) in conventional
systems[4].
Below is the example smart sensor
that can use in smart grid system which is
helps utilities improve the efficiency in
which they operate their distribution systems
by improving outage management and
capacitor bank maintenance while providing
critical system information not previously
available. This simple yet sophisticated
device can announce directional fault
targeting, detect capacitor bank fuse failure,
and provide real time line monitoring at
nearly any location via DNP3 protocol[5].

Figure 3: Grid Advisor Series II smart

sensor.

IV.

ADVANCE MEASURING
INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI)

Advanced metering infrastructure

(AMI) is an integrated system of smart
meters, communications networks, and data
management systems that enables two-way
communication between utilities and
customers. Customer systems include inhome displays, home area networks, energy
management systems, and other customerside-of-the-meter equipment that enable
smart grid functions in residential,
commercial, and industrial facilities [4].

Next-generation Distribution Systems, Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering

Infrastructure
Muhammad Abdul Razak Bin Zambary (EC120129)
Muhammad Ridwan Bin Zulamran (EC12012)
Maulana Zulfikar Bin Asril (EC12051)

Improved security.

B. Smart Sensor
Integrating smart sensors with
current fault monitoring circuits
provides more reliable and accurate
monitoring of, and response to,
outages along the grid. Sensors here
can provide real-time critical system
information,
often
inductively
powered using batteries or energy
harvesting system [6].
Figure 4: SGDP Smart Meters Installed and
Operational adopted from, Smartgridgov.
(2015).
Smartgridgov. Retrieved
17
September,
2015,
from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/recovery_act/dep
loyment_status/sdgp_ami_systems.html

V.

BENEFITS

A. Smart Grid System;

More efficient transmission of
electricity.
Quicker restoration of electricity
after power disturbances.
Reduced operations and management
costs for utilities, and ultimately
lower power costs for consumers.
Reduced peak demand, which will
also help lower electricity rates.
Increased integration of large-scale
renewable energy systems.
Better integration of customer-owner
power generation systems, including
renewable energy systems.

C. Advance
Measuring
Infrastructure
(AMI)
Advanced metering infrastructure
(AMI) has become an essential part
of smart grids for monitoring
metering activities and controlling
excessive power outage problems.
Sensors connected to AMI also can
detect air quality, and automatically
send warnings to nearby cellular
devices. We see AMI sensors in
wireless
sensing
deployments
gaining a lot of interest in smart grid
activities, particularly "Smart City"
projects in both developed and
developing countries. Examples
include "intelligent" streetlights with
environmental sensors to monitor air
and traffic flow. We expect to see
good progress in technology
standardization,
plug-and-play
interoperable devices, and M2M
communication protocols[6].

Next-generation Distribution Systems, Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering

Infrastructure
Muhammad Abdul Razak Bin Zambary (EC120129)
Muhammad Ridwan Bin Zulamran (EC12012)
Maulana Zulfikar Bin Asril (EC12051)

VI.

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, the disruptive

challenges are on the horizon as the amount
of grid-connected renewable and distributed
energy increases, requiring an increasingly
intelligent, sophisticated grid. However,
interoperability and system integration
challenges will persist as utilities regularly
deploy new information management and
control systems. Technology costs and
benefits are still being determined and will
continue to constrain decisions for
deployment. By outlining these challenges,
this report may help inform stakeholder
decision-making. In the near term,
accelerating future grid modernization will
require
policymakers
to
consider
technological options, cost recovery
mechanisms, and investment [7].

VII.

REFERENCE

[1] Smartgridgov. (2015). Smartgridgov. Ret

rieved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_gr
id/smart_grid.html
[2] Smartgridgov. (2015). Smartgridgov. Ret
rieved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/recovery_act/
deployment_status/sdgp_ami_systems.ht
ml

[3] U.S. Department of Energy, 2010 Smart

Grid System Report, no. August. 2012.
[4] Cooperindustriescom. (2015). Cooperin
dustriescom. Retrieved 17
September,
2015, from
http://www.cooperindustries.com/conten
t/public/en/power_systems/solutions/self
-healing/smart_sensors.html
[5] Linkedincom. (2015). LinkedIn
Pulse. Retrieved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-ileft-best-job-world-preethi-kasireddy
[6] Smartgridgov. (2015). Smartgridgov. Ret
rieved 17
September,
2015, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/recovery_act/
deployment_status/sdgp_ami_systems.ht
ml
[7] P. J. Meijer G.C.M.; French, Smart
Sensor Systems, 2008.