The role of protection systems in Smart Grids: the Protection Automation and Control application

This paper provides an overview on Protection, Automation and Control systems at Smart Grids. The aim is to analyze the state of art, challenges and barriers that protection system must deal with in the advent of new smart power system. Smart Grids implementation requests more coordination between the several resources involved in the network than the traditional power systems, more control in order to guarantee always the good work of the grid, and a faster communication system. In this context the role of the Protection, Automation and Control system is crucial, Protection, Automation and Control systems must be able to work both in normal condition and to protect against the unexpected situation. A solution for the protection issue is represented by the several schemes that can be applied to the Smart Grid, and that will be described in this work. Finally, an advanced Protection, Automation and Control system designed and currently in development at ENEA Smart Grid and Energy Network laboratory is shown.