Advanced Distribution Management System
About this Technology
Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) are software platforms that integrate numerous data sources and host operational tools for distribution management to optimize system performance. An ADMS can collect, organize, display, and analyze real-time or near real-time information about the electric distribution system, which allows operators to plan and execute complex distribution system operations to increase system efficiency, optimize power flows, maintain reliability, and prevent overloads.
Source. Powergrid International.
Source. Powergrid International.
Source. Powergrid International.
Use in the Modern Grid
ADMS is needed, as DER penetration and impacts become significant, to host applications that 1) collect data and evaluate and mitigate DER impacts on power flows, and 2) utilize DERs for distribution benefits. With increased participation of DER aggregators, ADMS will be needed to evaluate the safety and reliability impacts for proposed day-ahead operating schedules for the next 24‐hours. ADMS provides analysis to ensure that the proposed DER schedule and real-time operations do not conflict with operational constraints, scheduled outages for maintenance, branch circuit overloads, and voltage violations.
Physical Location
The software platform may be centrally located at the utility’s control center with its various dependent components spread across the footprint of that utility.
Research Test Bed
For several years now, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has operated a test bed to serve as a vendor-neutral evalutation platform for advanced grid controls implemented on ADMS platforms. Multiple use cases have gone through evaluation, and it continues to research ADMS capabilities.
What changes are needed to support FERC order 2222?
ADMS with its many capabilities is a necessary component to enable FERC Order 2222. Core use cases include DMS, FLISR, DERMS, CVR and VVO – all aimed at ensuring the grid is safe, reliable, and resilient for DERs under various levels of market participation.
Critical and necessary capabilities include integration of DER status and power flows, offers, and bids into the wholesale day-ahead and real-time markets, Eventually, offers to provide distribution-level services from DER aggregators will be needed for FERC Order 2222 compliance
Technology Dependencies
A variety of technologies are required or enhance the benefit of ADMS including:
- GIS (geographical information systems) supplying connectivity and coordinates of lines, equipment,
- customers and DERs
- Electrical topology model
- Data models
More Information
Explore these resources to learn more about ADMS.
