Distribution Systems Analysis and Automation

Distribution systems analysis employs a set of techniques to simulate, analyse, and optimise power distribution systems. Combined with automation, these techniques underpin the concept of the smart grid. In recent years, distribution systems have been facing growing challenges, due to increasing demand as well as the rising shares of distributed and volatile renewable energy sources.

For this new edition, the chapters of the first edition have been revised and updated, and the topics of distribution system analysis and distribution automation combined. Coverage includes smart grid, load flow analysis, determination of optimal topology, voltage control and capacitor application, power quality and harmonics in distribution systems, distribution system restoration, numerical relaying and distribution feeder protection, distributed generation and microgrid technology.

New material related to renewable energy and microgrids are included, and maturity models and evaluation of smart grid projects are presented, along with material on the transition to the new distribution system technologies.

Juan M. Gers obtained his undergraduate degree as Electrical Engineer from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia in 1977. In 1981, he finished a master's degree in Power Systems Studies at the University of Salford in England, and his doctorate with research in distribution systems and automatization at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland in 1998. He was a professor at the Universidad del Valle in Colombia for more than 20 years and has been working as adjunct instructor at the Gonzaga University for more than 10 years. Dr. Gers served as the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy of Colombia in 2002. He is the author of Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, is a Chartered Engineer of the IET and participates in several groups of the Power System Relaying and Control Committee of the IEEE. Dr. Gers is the founder and president of GERS, an engineering consultancy specializing in power systems, based in Florida, USA.