Low-Latency Distribution Services enabled by Synchrophasor-based Control

The paper aims to present an integrated infrastructure for control and management of DSO services, enabling their extensive rollout and expansion. The paper proposes a hierarchical control structure using synchrophasor measurement and wide-area control. This structure includes a central orchestration of data and applications, zonal real-time control and edge control interfacing to the managed plant. The application of the infrastructure is described in detail for the DSO service for distribution-based electricity restoration services, involving blackstart, island growth and stability, and resynchronisation to the transmission system. The proposed architecture addresses current limitations in DSO services, particularly in terms of speed of response and dynamic visibility, as evidenced in the restoration service where fastresponse zonal control is critical. As well as the central and field infrastructure, a Hardware-inthe-Loop (HiL) real-time dynamic simulation environment is required for scheme testing and operator training, providing a realistic environment for control scheme validation. Examples of trials in south Scotland demonstrated the effectiveness of the zonal control system. The architecture described in the paper is key for expanding the roles and capabilities of DSO services. It enables time-critical control needs such as grid stability and restoration, as well as forecasting and adapting to the resources available to deliver the services and provides the structure to avoid conflicts between services that can interact.