Integrating electric meter data with distribution automation applications

This paper proposes a solution for the problem of integrating advanced electric meter measurements with separate distribution automation applications. The current state of the AMI/DA intersection is presented along with the key components in today's highest value DA applications. The paper details the requirements and a dependency of one high value DA application, namely volt/var optimization (VVO), and uses an example to make the case for enhancing and standardizing the link between AMI and SCADA networks at both the substation and enterprise levels. The conclusion lays out the requirements for new interfaces, applicability to AMI communication architectures, and proposes new coupling mechanisms and associations.