Dynamic configuration of distribution feeder parameters in a power grid

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

identifying a grid topology of a plurality of distribution automation (DA) devices of a distribution feeder circuit in a power grid;

determining parameters for each of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the grid topology;

configuring the plurality of DA devices with respective parameters as determined;

detecting a change of the grid topology; and

in response to the change of the grid topology:

i) determining updated parameters for one or more of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the changed grid topology; and

ii) reconfiguring respective parameters of each of the DA devices that have updated parameters due to the change of the grid topology.

2. The method as in claim 1 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source.

3. The method as in claim 2 , wherein the protection parameters comprise over-current curves selected from a group consisting of: predefined curves from which the protection parameters are determined; and dynamically determined curves that are downloaded to the DA devices.

4. The method as in claim 1 , wherein identifying the grid topology comprises:

utilizing a sensor on each of the plurality of DA devices to determine its location in the distribution feeder circuit in relation to other DA devices.

5. The method as in claim 1 , wherein identifying the grid topology comprises:

determining an open/close state of each of the DA devices to determine one or more normally open points (NOPs).

6. The method as in claim 1 , wherein identifying the grid topology comprises:

utilizing one or more probe messages on the distribution feeder circuit to determine a location in the distribution feeder circuit of each DA device in relation to other DA devices and to also determine one or more normally open points (NOPs).

7. The method as in claim 1 , wherein detecting the change comprises:

detecting the change using a technique selected from a group consisting of: fault location, isolation, and restoration (FUR) technology; renewable energy generation variation detection; and manual grid maintenance detection.

8. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a manual configuration of one or more of the parameters; and

verifying the manually configured parameters based on the grid topology.

9. The method as in claim 8 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source, the method further comprising:

determining that the manual configuration of the protection parameters does not configure DA devices further from a power source in the power grid to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source; and

raising an alarm.

10. The method as in claim 8 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source, the method further comprising:

determining that the manual configuration of the protection parameters does not configure DA devices further from a power source in the power grid to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source; and

recommending revised protection parameters.

11. The method as in claim 1 , wherein the method is implemented by a computer selected from a group consisting of: a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) device; a substation computer; and a plurality of distributed computer devices within the distribution feeder circuit.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor adapted to execute one or more processes;

a network interface adapted to communicate with a plurality of distribution automation (DA) devices of a distribution feeder circuit in a power grid; and

a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to:

identify a grid topology of a plurality of DA devices;

determine parameters for each of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the grid topology;

configure the plurality of DA devices with respective parameters as determined;

detect a change of the grid topology; and

in response to the change of the grid topology:

i) determine updated parameters for one or more of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the changed grid topology; and

ii) reconfigure respective parameters of each of the DA devices that have updated parameters due to the change of the grid topology.

13. The apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source.

14. The apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein the protection parameters comprise over-current curves selected from a group consisting of: predefined curves from which the protection parameters are determined; and dynamically determined curves that are downloaded to the DA devices.

15. The apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the process when executed to identify the grid topology is further operable to at least one of:

i) utilize a sensor on each of the plurality of DA devices to determine its location in the distribution feeder circuit in relation to other DA devices;

ii) determine an open/close state of each of the DA devices to determine one or more normally open points (NOPs); and

iii) utilize one or more probe messages on the distribution feeder circuit to determine a location in the distribution feeder circuit of each DA device in relation to other DA devices and to also determine one or more NOPs.

16. The apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the process when executed to detect the change is further operable to:

detect the change using a technique selected from a group consisting of: fault location, isolation, restoration (FUR) technology; renewable energy generation variation detection; and manual grid maintenance detection.

17. The apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

detect a manual configuration of one or more of the parameters; and

verify the manually configured parameters based on the grid topology.

18. The apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source, and wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

determine that the manual configuration of the protection parameters does not configure DA devices further from a power source in the power grid to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source; and

in response, raise an alarm.

19. The apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source, and wherein the process when executed is further operable to:

determine that the manual configuration of the protection parameters does not configure DA devices further from a power source in the power grid to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source; and

in response, recommend revised protection parameters.

20. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software when executed by a processor operable to:

identify a grid topology of a plurality of distribution automation (DA) devices of a distribution feeder circuit in a power grid;

determine parameters for each of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the grid topology;

configure the plurality of DA devices with respective parameters as determined;

detect a change of the grid topology; and

in response to the change of the grid topology:

i) determine updated parameters for one or more of the DA devices of the distribution feeder circuit based on the changed grid topology; and

ii) reconfigure respective parameters of each of the DA devices that have updated parameters due to the change of the grid topology.

21. The computer-readable media as in claim 20 , wherein the parameters comprise protection parameters determined based on the grid topology such that DA devices further from a power source in the power grid up to a normally open point (NOP) are configured to trigger protection earlier than DA devices closer to the power source.

22. The computer-readable media as in claim 21 , wherein the protection parameters comprise over-current curves selected from a group consisting of: predefined curves from which the protection parameters are determined; and dynamically determined curves that are downloaded to the DA devices.

23. The computer-readable media as in claim 20 , wherein the software when executed by the processor to identify the grid topology is further operable to at least one of:

i) utilize a sensor on each of the plurality of DA devices to determine its location in the distribution feeder circuit in relation to other DA devices;

ii) determine an open/close state of each of the DA devices to determine one or more normally open points (NOPs); and

iii) utilize one or more probe messages on the distribution feeder circuit to determine a location in the distribution feeder circuit of each DA device in relation to other DA devices and to also determine one or more NOPs.

24. The computer-readable media as in claim 20 , wherein the software when executed by the processor to detect the change is further operable to:

detect the change using a technique selected from a group consisting of: fault location, isolation, restoration (FUR) technology; renewable energy generation variation detection; and manual grid maintenance detection.

25. The computer-readable media as in claim 20 , wherein the software when executed by the processor is further operable to:

detect a manual configuration of one or more of the parameters; and

verify the manually configured parameters based on the grid topology.