Due to an ever‐increasing rise in proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs), the paradigm of passive electrical distribution networks is shifting toward active distribution systems. This new environment introduces a plethora of challenges that cannot be managed by traditional tools, whose utilization could compromise the reliability and efficient operation of distribution feeders. This article systematically reviews state of the art in different DERs management software solutions available today. Additionally, it establishes distinguished roles and responsibilities of different levels of hierarchy in distinct solutions that are all commonly called DERs management systems—DERMS (e.g., fully centralized versus fully decentralized DER management solutions). Lastly, it offers a viewpoint on the directions that hold potential for the power system community and industry to explore for further developments of more robust and intelligent DERMS, to successfully enable efficient transition into a new era of clean and sustainable power systems, encompassing active and dynamically changing distribution circuits.This article is categorized under: Climate and Environment > Net Zero Planning and Decarbonization Energy and Power Systems > Distributed Generation Energy and Power Systems > Energy Management

Critical infrastructures like the power grid are at risk from increasing cyber threats due to high penetration of interconnected distributed energy resources (DER). Compromised DER endpoints can cause events, data breaches, communication loss, intentional device failures, and even cascading outages. To address these challenges, this paper explores cybersecurity issues in DER management systems (DERMS), including state-of-the-art reviews on architectures, communication protocols, access control privileges, data breaches, identity management policies, attacks such as false data injection, denial of service, distributed denial of service, malware, threats affecting data integrity, and network vulnerabilities. Realistic threat scenarios are outlined, followed by discussions on futuristic solutions like the zero trust framework. The paper presents new architectural patterns for recently released multi-level hierarchical framework as per IEEE 1547.3 standard to handle DERMS data and assets. The paper also discusses potential threats compromising the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, and Accountability (CIAA) properties at each level of the IEEE 1547.3 framework. This review is unique and comprehensive, as it covers existing research on cybersecurity challenges in DER-related assets and outlines the necessary capabilities to equip Intrusion Diagnostic Units (IDUs) in future DERMS technologies, all while ensuring compliance with IEEE 1547.3 standard requirements.

In this paper a calculation method for quantifying the impact of complex short-circuits on active unbalanced distribution systems is proposed. Unlike previous distribution system short-circuit calculations, the proposed method is capable of solving complex short-circuits with an arbitrary number of faulted busses and phases, without predefining the boundary (fault) conditions. Different short-circuits are defined by simple inspection of these faults. Additionally, all distribution system elements are appropriately modeled and integrated in the proposed method, including electronically coupled distributed energy resources. The method is capable of solving unbalanced systems, including mutually coupled sections, in unsymmetrical pre-fault states, and it is performed in the sequence domain. This makes the proposed method particularly fast and suitable for on-line distribution system analysis. The computation results show the advantages of the proposed method relative to previous short-circuit calculation methods, regarding both the required calculation time and the accuracy.

In this paper, novel models for electronically coupled distributed energy resources (ECDERs) for online fault calculations of large-scale systems are proposed. ECDERs have different fault responses than traditional synchronous and induction (AC) machines, and generally accepted models for these emerging DERs do not exist. The deployment of ECDERs is constantly increasing worldwide and there is an urgent need for developing appropriate models for fault calculations. In order to have fast calculations, applicable to large-scale systems, the dynamic behavior of traditional AC machines have been approximated in three steady state time-periods (sub-transient, transient, and steady-state). Accordingly, the online fault calculations of large-scale systems have been conducted for these three periods. To simulate the ECDERs' dynamic behavior, and develop models that are compliant with traditional fault calculations, fault models of ECDERs in the sub-transient, transient, and steady-state periods are proposed, with a short peak current period included in the proposed models during the sub-transient period. To validate the proposed models, they are integrated into recently developed online fault calculations, and tested on various large-scale systems. Results from computer simulations are compared with results obtained using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, as well as with relevant reports on fault current contributions of ECDERs. The results match very well, further validating the proposed models.

Operational and planning challenges caused by ever-increasing integration of electronically coupled renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) have become a reality all over the globe. These challenges range from technical constraint violations to malfunctional setting and coordination of the protective equipment and inaccurate operational planning. Moreover, to enable the preconditions for the integration of high penetration of renewable DERs, utilities are faced with potentially huge investment requirements in strengthening the grid assets. However, recent advances in specialized software solutions for integration and active management of high penetration of DERs could turn these challenges into operational and monetary benefits. Hence, if planned, managed, and operated in an optimal way, the high penetration of DERs could be a valuable resource for increasing the efficiency of the overall management of distribution grids. Utility distributed energy resource management systems (utility DERMSs) aim to provide all of these capabilities integrated into a single software solution. In this paper, a utility DERMS concept is introduced, and the capabilities of state-of-the-art utility DERMS solutions for helping the key stakeholders to pave the way towards stable, optimal, and secure emerging distribution systems with high penetration of electronically coupled renewable DERs are explored.