Universal IED for distribution smart grids

To satisfy customer's growing service quality expectations and to support, as well, a wide array of additional new services, utilities need to provide high quality power over a complex and interactive grid with greater reliability, efficiency and security. To achieve this complex task, they need to implement new technologies in their power systems, including accommodating distributed generation (DG) and integrating the latest information technologies (IT) including acquisition and communication. This paper presents a new concept of feeder level universal Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED), based on a modular structure, compatible with all major distribution equipments and complying with international standards. Characteristics like interoperability and plug-and-play offered by this IED as default standardized features will allow improvement in the efficiency of existing Smart Distribution applications and will open the gate for the development of new ones. The results of IREQ's project related to the concept and design of such IEDs and their implications are discussed in support of this vision. (4 pages)