Abstract

Wisconsin Power and Light Company’s (WPL) smart grid distribution automation project is designed to improve distribution system efficiency and reliability while lowering operations and maintenance costs. WPL is deploying a new centralized energy management system and adding intelligent communication and control modules to approximately 40% of its distribution capacitor banks. The capacitor banks selected for upgrade were determined based on coverage area and load usage. Project benefits include reducing distribution energy losses by improving power factor and reducing distribution operations and maintenance costs. WPL also expects to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions by reducing truck rolls through automation.