Customer service and satisfaction are priorities for any Distribution Network Operator (DNO). When an outage or failure happens, operators want to be responsive. They need to give timely updates and resolve issues quickly. To achieve this, companies are investing in new technologies to improve the design and maintenance of their networks.
However, traditional infrastructure was not built with today’s technology in mind. The classic DNO model focused on a simple one-way delivery of electricity. It had clear definitions of upstream generation and downstream consumption. That model is now changing.
An Evolved Distribution Model
The UK energy mix is evolving. We are moving toward a balanced blend of traditional sources and distributed generation. This includes renewables, energy storage, and microgrids.
This shift has created a bottom-up approach to the modern distribution network. It also brings complexity. The UK generated more electricity from renewables than traditional fuel sources for the first time recently. If this trend continues, stability will depend on how network operators balance the grid.
DNOs are currently figuring out their new position. In the future, they will likely be responsible for active balancing. This creates a transition to a complex model that manages multiple points of supply. Employing modern technologies is what separates a traditional DNO from a modern Distribution System Operator (DSO).
The Role of the DSO
A DSO has a more demanding job than a traditional operator. To satisfy customers during peak demand, they must account for a huge variety of load scenarios. Contingencies rise in step with the number of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) added to the network.
New variables like distributed generation, demand response, and energy storage require a flexible network. This applies to daily operations and long-term infrastructure investment. The goal is to manage this development at the lowest cost to consumers.
DSOs face challenges that DNOs simply did not have to deal with. They must handle flexible demand and control networks that aggregate many dispersed inputs. This transition does not happen overnight.
A Permanent Step Forward
A common concern for operators implementing automation is the move away from manual controls. Trusting a system to run decisions based on computerized tools marks a clear psychological change.
However, the networks of the future cannot be managed by human intervention alone. The speed and complexity of the data require machine-based models. These systems are essential to accelerate the evolution of network operation.
Enabling the Transition with EcoStruxure
Technologies like the EcoStruxure Grid are designed to support this specific transition from DNO to DSO. This is an IoT-enabled framework that helps utilities realize innovation at every level of the grid.
It provides an integrated framework to tackle the increasing complexity of operations. By using connected equipment and control room solutions, utilities can optimize asset management. The technology stack ranges from connected products to edge control and analytics.
The use of IoT enhances operations by enabling mobility, better sensing, and cloud analytics. It allows utilities to manage data that has been collected and cleaned for accuracy. Solutions like this, which include ADMS and low voltage cabinets, are the tools that make the smart grid possible.
Conclusion
The shift from DNO to DSO is inevitable. It is driven by the rise of renewables and the need for a more resilient grid. While the technical challenges are significant, the path forward involves embracing automation and smart data. By adopting platforms that can handle distributed resources, operators can ensure they continue to deliver reliable power in this new age of energy.