Hydro-Quebec's vision of the Distribution Automation

Abstract

This paper describes Hydro-Quebec's vision for the automation of its distribution network. After a brief discussion of Hydro-Quebec Distribution's experiences with distribution automation, the document outlines the different studies made to formulate a vision and a development program for distribution automation. The paper takes into account the latest technical studies on distribution automation such as the CEATI roadmap and the EPRI'S ADA report. It also extends the vision of distribution automation beyond the simple remote control of major equipment such as circuit breakers, load break switches and capacitors on the distribution grid. Finally, it presents some details on the next steps that Hydro-Quebec Distribution is now taking towards a general distribution automation in its system