July 02, 2024

Arlington, Va.—The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has announced the publication of a new resource to help utilities optimize data, modernize grid infrastructure, and manage the energy transition in real time. “Distribution Automation in the Energy Transition” explores the ways distribution automation (DA) technologies support the creation of an electrified energy system that is more resilient, sustainable, decarbonized, and connected.

DA refers to a family of technologies – including sensors, processors, information and communication networks and switches – that enable utilities to collect, automate, analyze, and optimize data to improve the operational efficiency of the distribution power system.

“Speed, accuracy, and affordability are top of mind as we modernize our grid to distribute electricity reliably, efficiently, and sustainably to everyone who depends on it. This white paper details how grid operators should effectively manage growing demand as we face the extreme heat of summer, increasing demand from data centers, and widespread adoption of electric vehicles,” said Patrick Hughes, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Technical, and Industry Affairs, NEMA. “DA technologies are the eyes and ears for grid operators; without DA, these operators have limited visibility to thousands of miles of distribution power lines which serve the country. We urge policymakers, public utility commissions, and manufacturers to continue driving investment and deployment of DA technologies.”

DA technologies support grid operators with:

• Improved distribution system resilience to extreme weather events. DA equipment can automatically limit the extent of major outages and improve operators’ ability to diagnose and repair damaged equipment.
• More effective equipment monitoring and preventative maintenance. DA technology can reduce operating costs, enable more efficient use of capital assets, reduce the likelihood of equipment failures, and lead to fewer outages.
• Voltage optimization. Nearly 50,000 circuits now have voltage optimization, or about 25% of all U.S. distribution circuits as of 2020. Case studies show that even a modest voltage reduction of 1% to 3% can deliver significant energy and cost savings.
• More efficient use of repair crews and truck rolls. The use of DA can enable faster service restoration and lower environmental emissions.

NEMA’s Grid Sector developed this white paper as a resource for grid modernization and to reflect the realities of today’s electricity delivery landscape.

“Distribution Automation not only helps operators monitor the grid and recover from faults today, but it will also enable new and cleaner generation sources in the grid of the future,” said Erich Keller, Manager, Engineering Power Grid Automation, GW Electric and Chair of NEMA’s Distribution Automation section.

In addition to the “Distribution Automation in the Energy Transition” white paper, NEMA offers a suite of technical resources on DA. A full list of DA related standards, including a revised ANSI/NEMA Smart Grid Interoperability Process Reference Manual, is available here.