Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR) Functionalities Tests in a Smart Grids Laboratory for Evaluation of the Quality of Service

Fault Location, Isolation, and Self Restoration (FLISR) is a Smart Grid functionality that is becoming more necessary in power distribution networks nowadays, in order to assure the quality of power supply. In situations of contingency, due to occurrences that result in interruptions of the power supply, it is indispensable to quickly minimize the number of affected customers until full service reestablishment. By reconfiguring the distribution network, it is possible to isolate faults and transfer loads to other healthy feeders. There are different approaches of Advanced Distribution Automation (ADA) that allows a better monitoring and control of the electrical grids, making it able to take automatic decisions. One of these approaches regards on subroutines using conditional logics at the SCADA system level, in order to accomplish fast and automatic load transfer considering remotely controlled reclosers placed along the defective feeder (Normally Closed reclosers) and between neighboring feeders (Normally Opened reclosers). Such ADA approach was evaluated in a Smart Grid laboratory, where the systemic environment of a power distribution company was reproduced. In the laboratory, simulations and logic tests may be carried out in a controlled manner, without putting the operation of the power distribution system in danger.