A method for cost benefit analysis of distribution automation

Abstract

This paper presents a computer based method for general comparison and planning of distribution automation (DA) systems. The functions considered include several applications of fault management and distribution network operation optimization. In the paper, the computation of DA benefits is first discussed. The breakdown of DA costs is then discussed. It is shown, that both the costs and the benefits of different functions partly are overlapping, which must be taken into account in the feasibility analysis. Some computation results for Finnish distribution companies are given.