Whether the task at hand is fire mitigation or managing stability, a centralized Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) software platform can help utilities automate processes as part of the overall effort to modernize the grid.
Aleksandar Parmakovic, Chief Solution Architect at Schneider Electric, will speak in three separate sessions about fire mitigation programs, DERMs implementation, and FLISR that automates distribution networks at DISTRIBUTECH International, the leading annual transmission and distribution event, taking place from February 26-29, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
“I consider all 3 topics as very important for utilities,” Parmakovic said. “A fire mitigation program that’s implemented within ADMS helps utilities significantly reduce the risk from wildfires caused by the grid. FLISR improves grid reliability, SAIDI, and SAIFI. DERMS maximizes values of DERs and Flexible Loads for the distribution grid. For all these 3 topics, it’s common they are implemented by using centralized software and they deliver significant safety, economic, and other benefits at minimum cost.”
Parmakovic’s first session, PG&E’s ADMS-Based Fire Mitigation Solution, takes place Feb. 27 from 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM. In 2023 PG&E deployed an ADMS-based fire mitigation solution that correlates weather regions and electrical asset data. In this session, the authors will share PG&E’s developmental journey and the workings of the ADMS-based solution.
His second session, Maximizing Opportunities and Value from DERs and Flexible Loads for the Distribution Grid, takes place Feb. 27 from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM. In the face of unprecedented load growth from the electrification of the transportation sector and the proliferation of DERs interconnecting to California’s distribution grid, PG&E is deploying an enterprise DERMS platform to orchestrate DERs and flexible loads. The audience will learn how PG&E is increasing capacity utilization and hosting by dynamically managing customer-owned DERs and flexible loads, using network model-based DERMS for the optimization and dispatching controls to DERs via IEEE 2030.5 protocol.
Parmakovic’s final session, PG&E’s Evolution from a Standalone to Enterprise ADMS FLISR Solution, takes place Feb. 28 from 4:20 PM – 4:50 PM. In 2012 PG&E was one of a few utilities to deploy a system-wide FLISR control scheme. Over ten-plus years of operation, FLISR deployments have grown to exceed 1,000 feeders. As part of PG&E’s ADMS program, in 2023, PG&E activated its next-generation FLISR solution. The presentation will discuss PG&E’s FLISR evolution, a project overview highlighting the technical advantages of a model-based and ADMS-integrated solution.
Parmakovic says he is looking forward to attending sessions and presentations from a variety of utilities and vendors, and feels the most critical issue facing utilities right now is how to support the energy transition.
Parmakovic is the Chief Solution Architect at Schneider Electric, acting as technical principal on the leadership team of the Digital Grid Operations Management professional services organization. He has a magister degree in electrical and electronics engineering and 20+ years of experience in the ADMS industry. Before this position, he was a product manager, and also worked as SME and Technical Lead on the delivery and implementation of more than 15 AMDS and DERMS projects worldwide.
