Analysis of an innovation: the ADMS microgrid management system

Abstract

The change of the electrical grid towards the Smart Grid development is around the corner. Electric vehicles, distributed energy resources, microgrids, demand response, energy storage or grid automatization are changing the way the grid is managed. In this project, the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) is analyzed focusing on the innovation it is to the electrical energy management in the distribution and low voltage networks as well as the microgrids and, as they are related, Distributed Energy Resources (DER). Section 3 explains the current state of the electrical network and the problems it is facing nowadays. It is focused on the change of model from a one-way power flow to the bi-directional power flow and the problems it brings to the electrical grid management. Furthermore, it is explained why does the grid needs to evolve towards what is known as the Smart Grid and what are the key technologies to make it happen. The main technologies related to the smart grid are then explained (3.3). Finally, at the end of this section, it concludes that some of the higher priorities for this evolution are DER, microgrids and energy storage integration within the IT systems used for utilities to manage the grid. Section 0 explains what is it in general the ADMS, which systems it can integrate and which functionalities does it usually have. Subsequently, the key functionalities from the ADMS for DER and microgrids management are explained (4.1), how do they work and which benefits do they have when they are integrated in an ADMS instead of working independently. Finally, in section 5 briefly studies the market to understand the future development of the ADMS in the upcoming years and which companies are developing this software and adapting it to fit the market necessities. There is also a study of the current technology state and what are they next development challenges. In conclusion, the ADMS brings the opportunity to company grid operators and utilities to adapt and modernize their grid for the overcoming challenges of DER integration and microgrid management. Whether this integration is because of the vision of the company/utility or due to external factors, such as end-consumer satisfaction or governmental policies, depends on each case. The number ADMS developers are high enough to guarantee that the development of this technology will continue and that new ADMS solutions will emerge to improve even more the ones present today.