Real-time monitoring of the LV network with smart meter alarms

Distribution electricity network operators (DNOs) are in the middle of the green energy transition. To successfully support energy transition, DNOs need to establish real-time control and monitoring of the low voltage (LV) network. Real-time monitoring will provide quality electric energy (EE) and more prosumers in the future. In Elektro Ljubljana d.d., we established monitoring of the LV network using smart meters. Many of the DNOs implement smart meters in the LV network as standard operating practice. However, smart meters enable many more than just daily measurements. They can provide real-time data in intervals of some seconds and provide real-time alarms. Real-time monitoring using smart meters can be enhanced by alarming functions connected to specific conditions in the network. Alarming management is provided by meters that smartly send alarms (meters connected with push communication protocols). Such real-time alarms can detect outages and support operators and field workers. That requires additional integration between different information systems (HES, DMD, SCADA, ...). This paper presents alarm management of missing phases and outages in LV networks. In particular, we show an example of connecting alarms with smart meter data power-up and power-down events in order to determine “unplanned” incidents that require operator attention. The power alarms are then aggregated at the LV feeder level and analysed. IT architecture that enables automated management of alarms from smart meters is also revealed. In the future, our goal is to establish automated management of alarms and work orders for incidents on the LV network in order to reduce the time of failure and user restoration time. Real-time information about incidents can also be sent to the consumers and prosumers.