ABSTRACT
This chapter uses two case studies to illustrate justification for distribution automation. In developing these business cases, the chapter prioritizes the benefits according to their contribution and hardness. Although the performance of the network was considered acceptable except in times of severe weather, the utility, in preparation for deregulation, was considering introducing feeder automation on its networks and wanted to see whether the benefits were sufficient to justify the implementation. Crew time savings (CTS) was considered to be one of the primary benefits to be obtained and was selected as the first benefit to estimate. Inspection of the circuit diagram shows that the selected feeder has three ends and two normally open points (NOPs). A regulatory authority might impose penalties on a utility for low performance of its distribution network, and it is helpful to consider how typical penalties might apply to this network.
