SELF-HEALING SYSTEM:Electric co-ops explore the value of smart feeder switching

摘要

Electric cooperatives own and operate 42 percent of the total miles of electric distribution lines across the United States and serve members in far-flung areas that are often subject to extreme weather. For them, any technology with the potential toimprove the resilience of the electric distribution system or reduce system maintenance costs is worth investigating.So it wasn't surprising when nine co-ops signed up to participate in the smart feeder switching (SFS) component of the Smart Grid Demonstration Project (SGDP), a $68 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative funded by DOE, NRECA, and 23 partnercooperatives across 12 states.