A Practical Approach for Designing Operationally Efficient Secondary Distribution Systems

Electric utilities in the US are faced with a unique and often conflicting set of challenges in their current operating environment. They are under increasing pressure to design “smarter” systems and improve operational efficiency, even as the integrity of their physical infrastructure declines, and human resources are more constrained. In order to meet these challenges, today’s distribution designer must be equipped with tools that will help him/her do their job more efficiently. There is a wide range of applications and technologies focused on primary systems, substations and transmission grids, but the design of secondary systems is often overlooked. This paper presents a method and application for the optimal design of secondary systems to meet technical requirements while minimizing total owning costs, including the impact of losses.