System Visibility
What is it?
Definition – in layman’s terms:
- To operate and plan for a modernized grid, system operators need to ‘see’ as much ofthe system as possible.
- This includes understanding where electricity is entering and leaving the system, when it is being used and generated, and how the power is flowing through the distribution and transmission lines. Communication and data sharing systems are integral components here.
- This situational awareness is particularly important as more devices connect to the grid, and can be improved by maximizing the use of various sensors, meters, and power flow analysis to have better information about the status of numerous components on the grid.
More technically speaking – industry terms to know:
- SCADA: Supervisory control and data acquisition – the traditional software systems used to monitor and control
the grid. - Telemetry: The process of collecting data at a remote location and then sending it to a central location for
processing and analysis.
The Grid Today
The current grid was designed and built decades ago to facilitate power flow in one direction, from generation to end use. Grid operators have placed sensors and monitors along the system to monitor this one-way flow of power through bulk power system generation, transmission, and distribution. Traditional SCADA systems are primarily used to monitor and control the grid and utility-owned and operated private communications networks transfer critical data.
For a Modern Grid
As DERs connect at all points along the grid, large-scale renewable resources inject increased variable power into the system, and storage and demand response solutions offer greater flexibility, grid operators require enhanced visibility into the more complex real-time grid conditions and power flow. This is needed to respond to quickly changing conditions as assets charge, store, and discharge power. It’s also needed to respond to reliability events which may be caused by a storm knocking down part of the grid or more dynamic behavior from renewables, increasing the need for advanced sensing, measurement, and ultimately, real-time predictive grid operational tools.
Dynamic monitoring and sensing technologies with greater resolution and reliability are now available to grid operators, providing improved situational awareness and facilitating faster response times. Advanced metering infrastructure and power flow analysis software tools are also available and will be critical to unlocking the full visibility into the grid, and subsequent control and communication with DERs. Upgrading communication systems to state of the art systems is also an integral component of modernizing system visibility.
Technology Examples
Explore examples of system visibility in these technologies:
