The Best Advanced Distribution Management Systems
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Energy resources are more important than ever before in a world run on electricity. Phones, TVs, and even cars all need to be charged on a regular basis. As a result, the power distribution network has become more dynamic. Power grids need careful maintenance in order to supply communities with the energy needed to run smoothly. One way to optimize electrical grid performance is through the use of an advanced distribution management system.
What are Advanced Distribution Management Systems?
Advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) are a type of software suite for controlling electrical grids. An ADMS is designed to manage energy output, reduce outages, and regulate electrical demand. By establishing these “advanced” systems, utility companies can improve their overall services with next-generation technology.
As an energy management system, ADMS functions help automate power distribution networks for entire communities by establishing a smart grid. By using this software, utility companies can prepare their grids for upgrades to renewable energy, reduce voltage, and build out microgrids for new services like electric vehicle charging.
Note: Those looking for a traditional logistics and distribution software will want to visit our best distribution software guide.
Features of Advanced Distribution Management Systems
- Grid analytics: Analyze energy usage along your power distribution network to identify patterns and prepare for the future
- Voltage reduction: Conserve energy by reducing voltage use across your grid by using voltage reduction techniques
- Fault location and detection: Determine where periodic faults are located using input signals
- Outage management system (OMS) and restoration: Track outages from the moment they occur in real-time to better estimate restoration services
- Geographic information system: Review power network data as related to real geographical locations along the grid
- Electrical isolation: Shut off or isolate power in specific parts of the grid in order to implement repairs or improvements
- Grid modernization: Begin modernizing your power network for more efficient energy usage,
- Renewable energy transitions: Prepare old and outdated grids for conversion to renewable energy sources
- Microgrid support: Expand your grid capacity for new features like electric vehicle charging stations
- Volt/VAR optimization (VVO): Create a more efficient grid by managing voltage levels and reactive power
Advanced Distribution Management System Benefits
Using an advanced distribution management system will provide your electric utilities business with many benefits, including:
Greater Control of Energy Outages
The first benefit of an ADMS is gaining more control over your grid system. Outages can happen for all sorts of reasons including:
- Planned maintenance
- Severe weather
- Grid overuse
By using ADMS, you can gain real-time data about outages as they occur. Grid analytics tools like outage management systems (OMS) let you review restoration efforts as they happen. You can then keep energy field crews and customers alike informed of estimated repair times.
For example, say a single electrical substation has experienced an outage due to severe weather. One residential area is without power. ADMS helps you identify which area is affected by the outage so you can inform those customers of repair efforts. Otherwise, you might have to shut down the entire grid to find the issue, depriving all your clients of power.
In addition, ADMS measures power quality and reliability so you can anticipate potential outages before they happen. Review historical data from past outages to see what factors may lead to another. And schedule potential repairs and improvements to the network based on prior performance.
More Energy and Data Security
The entire world depends on electricity to run, making energy sources incredibly valuable. The infrastructure of older energy grids are incredibly vulnerable to outages caused by increased usage. As such, it’s important for energy companies to ensure their grids are secure. ADMS includes security measures to control the data and analytics from your power network.
One way you can secure your network with ADMS is through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). This advanced application provides a control system for your network communications.
Microgrid Expansion
Electric cars are on the rise all over the world. Power grids are having to adjust quickly to accommodate charging stations to meet these new demands. ADMS provides the tools you need for grid modernization to adapt to these new features.
Additionally, power distribution networks now include renewable energy from solar, wind, thermal, and water sources. ADMS helps you establish new substations in order to expand your power grid’s reach.
Higher Customer Satisfaction
A down power grid can leave hundreds or thousands of customers without electricity for hours. The longer they wait for the power to be restored, the less happy they’ll be. ADMS gives you better information about outages so you can keep the public informed about updates to service restoration.
Outage restoration and grid resiliency can reassure customers that your company cares about putting their needs first. Grid improvements are another way to increase customer satisfaction. For example, peak demand management tools help you keep the power on even when customers are putting extra demands on the power grid simultaneously. When everyone has power, everyone is happy.