Power system automation

The global electricity demand is growing at a rapid pace, making the requirements for more reliable, environment friendly, and efficient transmission and distribution systems inevitable. The traditional grids and substations are no longer acceptable for sustainable development and environment-friendly power delivery. The evolution of automation systems could be traced back to the first industrial revolution, when the work done by the human muscle was replaced by the power of machines. During the second industrial revolution, process control was introduced and the routine functions of the human mind and continuous presence were taken over by machines. Supervisory control and data acquisition systems are widely used for automation of the power sector and represent an evolving field, with new products and services added on a daily basis. The chapter focuses specifically on the power sector, including generation, transmission, and distribution of power.