Feeder Load Management (FLM) allows you to manage energy delivery in the electric distribution system and identify problem areas. FLM monitors the vital signs of the distribution system and identifies areas of concern so that the distribution operator is forewarned and can efficiently focus attention where it is most needed. It allows for more rapid correction of existing problems and enables possibilities for problem avoidance, leading to both improved reliability and energy delivery performance.

FLM is cyclically executed and automatically triggered by pertinent changes in the electric distribution system, such as increased demand, change in measured values reported by SCADA, or switch status changes. FLM uses a combination of SCADA derived scaling factors, load profiles, temperature, distributed generation profiles, and a globally supplied scaling factor to predict load for future forecasting.

FLM is capable of solving feeders using both a full power flow solution as well as using a less data intensive kVA solution. FLM will automatically determine which type of solution to run based on the feeder configuration. In the event that two feeders are tied together with one being configured for a kVA solution and the other for a Power Flow solution, the analysis will default to using a kVA solution. Please see “Power Flow Solution Types and Frequency” for more information related to solution types.

Feeder Load Management tools are dynamically updated after each FLM execution, which may be performed periodically (provided SCADA reports a change in measured values) or in response to changes in the electrical network (for example, a.switch is opened or closed). Time between FLM periodic executions, as well as other FLM execution parameters, is configurable. Administrative users can view or change these settings using the Configuration Assistant's Event Management Rules tab (see “Using the Event Management Rules Tab”).

The Feeder Load Summary tool provides dynamically updated views of closest-in-time alarms, worst case loads, and present loads of all feeders. From the Feeder Load Summary, you may drill down to those feeders where capacity margins and/or device limits are at risk or violated using the Feeder Load Management window.

The Feeder Load Management window provides load summaries, as well as Device Violations, Feeder Load Details, Tie Points Capacity Overview, Transformers, Shunted Devices, and Equivalent Sources Details. You can initiate Feeder Load Management calculations in Study Mode with different load scale factors and topology to predict selected feeders performance for different switching scenarios.

The Feeder Load Management mode is set from the Web Workspace Tools by selecting DMS Settings, and then selecting an FLM Status (Disabled or Enabled). If you select Disabled, FLM will only show the real-time load information; if you select Enabled, FLM will forecast the loads for all the feeders.

FLM modes can be set for individual feeders with the Configuration Assistant's Feeder Management tab (see Using the Feeder Management Tab on page 24-32 for details). A feeder can be in one of the following modes:

In effect, the minimum of the system-wide FLM mode and individual feeder FLM mode will be displayed.