The recent addition of information and communication technologies in electric power distribution systems has introduced a new class of electricity theft or nontechnical loss. Energy consumption data can be hidden and altered through cyber-attacks that are characterized by the unauthorized access to the application database and digital tampering of smart meters. The development of cost-efficient algorithms to address these types of nontechnical losses also targets the reduction of commercial losses because the full protection of an information system is very expensive. Thus, this paper proposes a strategy to detect nontechnical losses using a multivariate control chart that establishes a reliable region for monitoring the measured variance. After the detection of nontechnical losses, a pathfinding procedure based on the A-Star algorithm is able to locate the consumption point with the non-technical loss. Moreover, a geographical information system application displays the consumption point that is the target of the cyber-attack. The numerical results demonstrate the selectivity and efficiency of the proposed methodology applied for monitoring a real distribution network.

A new predictive risk-based framework is proposed to increase power distribution network resiliency by improving operator understanding of the status of the grid. This paper expresses the risk assessment as the correlation between likelihood and impact. The likelihood is derived from the combination of Naive Bayes learning and Jenks natural breaks classifier. The analytics included in a geographic information system platform fuse together a massive amount of data from outage recordings and weather historical databases in just one semantic parameter known as failure probability. The financial impact is determined by a time-series-based formulation that supports spatiotemporal data from fault management events and customer interruption cost. Results offer prediction of hourly risk levels and monthly accumulated risk for each feeder section of a distribution network allowing for timely tracking of the operating condition.

Microgrids are promising to enhance power distribution systems’ efficiency, quality, sustainability, and reliability. However, microgrids operation can impose several challenges to traditional protection schemes, like changes in the power flow direction and an increase in short-circuit currents. Microgrids can include several distributed generation technologies with different behaviours during short-circuit conditions, requiring additional protection schemes and devices. In this way, the optimized coordination of reclosers and fuses in distribution networks with directional overcurrent relays, which operate as interconnection devices, might overcome many imposed protection challenges. Regarding different generation technologies, voltage-restrained overcurrent relays and frequency relays are presented as local microgrid protection for rotative and inverter-based distributed generators, respectively. The optimized coordination of these protection devices maximizes microgrid benefits and minimizes operation drawbacks by reducing interruptions impacts and energy not supplied to consumers. This work proposes, thus, a mathematical model for the optimal coordination of protection devices in distribution networks with distributed energy resources operating in grid-connected and islanded modes. The minimization technique of operating times using an elitist genetic algorithm with variable crossover and mutation processes is proposed, as well. The results show adequate coordination using passive and low-cost protection devices.

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to increase in the automobile market, driven by public policies since they contribute to the global decarbonization of the transportation sector. Still, the main challenge to increasing EV adoption is charging infrastructure. Therefore, the site selection of public EV charging stations should be made very carefully to maximize EV usage and address the population’s range anxiety. Since electricity demand for charging EVs introduces new load shapes, the interrelationship between the location of charging stations and long-term electrical grid planning must be addressed. The selection of the most suitable site involves conflicting criteria, requiring the application of multi-criteria analysis. Thus, a geographic information system-based Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach is applied in this work to address the charging station site selection, where the demographic criteria and energy density are taken into account to formulate an EV increase model. Several methods, including Fuzzy TOPSIS, are applied to validate the selection of suitable sites. In this evaluation, the impact of the EV charging station on the substation capacity is assessed through a high EV penetration scenario. The proposed method is applied in Cuenca, Ecuador. Results show the effectiveness of MCDA in assessing the impact of charging stations on power distribution systems ensuring suitable system operation under substation capacity reserves.