Philosophy for operation of distribution system automation schemes: ACTEW's approach

ACTEW Corp. has embarked on a series of pilot remote control and operations schemes to evaluate potential distribution system automation (DSA) operational philosophies in the national capital city of Australia, Canberra. In commercial districts which essentially comprise ring main unit connected underground circuits with some tee'd cross connections, ACTEW (in partnership with private engineers) is developing a network of actuator-operated switches controlled via VHF radio-, or trunked radio-linked RTUs. Domestic districts are reticulated by feeders which combine multiply-interspersed overhead and underground sections. To automate this arrangement, the philosophy must accommodate this diversity of circuitry and is being addressed by a combination of pole-mounted switches (on the overhead sections) and actuator operated switches on the underground sections. All operating philosophies are being trialed in a "remote control" mode before full automation is attempted.