Siemens Energy, Inc. has launched an SDFA distribution feeder-automation system, an innovation that uses standard intelligent electric devices on an open communication protocol with a peer-to-peer logic structure. In addition, it comes pre-configured for ease of installation and can be used with a combination of devices, including SDR reclosers, Bridges Electric type Vector switches and capacitor control.
The benefits of these features in the peer-to-peer backbone is that the control and logic are brought to the lowest possible level allowing for quick, precise and reliable reactions to changes in the utility’s distribution grid.
“The key to the exceptional performance of the SDFA system is in its open architecture, flexibility and logic that controls fault detection, isolation and restoration,” said Brad Luyster, Siemens business segment manager for outdoor medium-voltage utility products. “Developed by Siemens, this state-of-the-art system has the ability to heal a loop of switches and reclosers faster than any other solution on the market today. The communication link provides better supervisory control at the operation center, as well as fast and reliable collection of operational and non-operational data. Since speed is of the utmost importance for real-time control and reporting, the SDFA system has been tested to work on WiMax and on fiber-optic platforms,” added Luyster.
“This development expands our distribution portfolio for utilities in North America,” advises Andre Smit, marketing manager of Siemens Energy’s energy automation business. “Our standard products, such as SDR reclosers and Bridges Electric® type Vector switches, are Smart Grid-ready, therefore they seamlessly integrate into our new feeder automation system, bringing the Smart Grid to life. Intelligent devices that communicate with each other and provide data and analytics automatically are vital as we move forward toward the grid of the future.”