Applications of Synchronized Measurement Technologies in Power Distribution Systems: Helping to Speed Up Technology Deployment

Over the last decade there has been increased interest in using synchronized measurement technologies (SMTs) to address distribution system needs. Modern distribution systems include growing penetration levels of distributed energy resources (DERs); photovoltaic (PV) and wind distributed generation (DG), and battery energy storage systems; electric vehicles (EVs); data centers; and more active consumer participation through, for instance, time-of-use rates and demand response. Furthermore, the need for higher reliability, power quality, resilience, and greater situational awareness of the distribution system is driving the increasing utilization of georeferenced and time-synchronized data with high spatial granularity and temporal resolution. This type of data can be used for multiple applications to enhance distribution monitoring, control, and protection capabilities. These benefits have prompted growing interest in the broad-scale deployment of SMTs on the distribution grid.