Abstract

The Southern Company Services’ (Southern Company) Smart Grid project involves integrated upgrades of the distribution, transmission, and grid management systems throughout their large service territory. Major efforts include automation of major parts of the distribution system, automation of selected transmission lines, and new equipment for many substations. This project centers on deployment of new distribution technologies that intend to improve power factor at delivery, thereby increasing the effective usability of existing electricity generation. This reduction in line losses may lead to the deferral of new generation capacity investments and associated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The distribution automation equipment in this project also aims to enhance system reliability through better protections and faster response to outages while simultaneously lowering cost for operation and maintenance of the system by human operators.