Developing a smart grid through improved Distribution Automation can improve network efficiency and increase return on investment for electricity distribution utilities.
Tait delivers practical wireless communication utilities solutions that allow for cost-effective Distribution Automation implementation.
A smart grid can resist attack and heal itself; save your utility organisation money through limiting outages and improved power factor correction; and encourage your customers to actively participate in the operation of the electricity grid.
Our global experience indicates that improvements to Distribution Automation will provide a high return on investment for an electrical utility looking for long-term asset management and network efficiency benefits.
Have intelligent control of your Grid
You can improve your SAIDI* and CAIDI** while still supporting high contributions of wind and solar energy. You can also support local, small-scale energy generation — a well-managed and controlled network measuring two-way power flow provides you with the required flexibility and efficiency to do this.
A robust and responsive distribution automation solution
Smart grids can resist damage and heal themselves. Automated monitoring and control lets you identify and isolate potential faults. Where outages cannot be prevented, they are shorter and more manageable. Your SAIDI and CAIDI indicators will significantly improve if your grid is well managed.
Make your radio system your communications backbone
The key enabler of a smart grid is the information and communications network.
You may have a legacy radio network providing coverage for voice communications throughout your network. Integrating the two-way communication modules into this legacy system when connected to sensors and remote terminal units' (RTU's) monitoring connections, will facilitate a cost effective automation solution.
The Tait Distribution Automation solution provides the communication network, integration with your SCADA application, and the security features that electrical utility organizations require today and in the future.
Tait radio networks are resilient and provide end-to-end IP connectivity. The networks also have excellent monitoring and reporting capabilities. The outcome is higher quality, more efficient, and more responsive energy delivery.
Real-time monitoring and prioritization of your communications network
Tait radio networks facilitate measurement of contribution from distributed generation and high-energy users. In the future, electric vehicles' demand dynamics and demand response will become additional considerations.
Tait radio networks can manage data with different priorities. Voice and data for incident management can override scheduled analysis. Emergency voice traffic can be prioritized without locking up vital operational communications.
The extent of automation implemented in your distribution grid is determined by the trade-off between cost of automation and the savings achieved by higher reliability.
With a cost-efficient Distribution Automation solution from Tait, you can use your voice network and implement a higher level of grid management with cost equal to that of a separate communication solution. This improves your return on investment (ROI) and is easier to manage in the long term.
Distribution Automation white paper
Today's Utility decision makers need practical solutions, not improbable schemes. In a world of hype, counter-claims, unquantified Business Plans and risky ventures surrounding the Smart Grid phenomenon, it is easy to overlook that - this whitepaper aims to provide those practical solutions.
Read the Distribution Automation white paper
*System Average Interruption Duration Index
**Customer Average Interruption Duration Index
