James Northcote-Green and Robert G. Wilson’s Control and Automation of Electrical Power Distribution Systems lays out both the theory and practice behind modern distribution automation (DA). First published on September 22, 2006 by CRC Press, this 488-page volume covers everything from hierarchical control architectures to communication protocols and real-world case studies.
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Full Title | Control and Automation of Electrical Power Distribution Systems |
| Authors | James Northcote-Green & Robert G. Wilson |
| Publisher / Year | CRC Press • September 22, 2006 |
| Print Length | 488 pages (263 B/W illustrations) |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0824726317 |
| Format | Hardcover & eBook |
| Price | From US $159.50 (print) |
| Audience | Power utility engineers, DA system designers, researchers |
| Key Focus | DA architectures, protection coordination, DMS, communication protocols, business cases |
Why Control and Automation of Electrical Power Distribution Systems Matters
- Holistic DA Blueprint – Integrates control strategies for substations and feeders into a unified architecture, defining depth and boundaries of automation.
- Theory Meets Practice – Balances rigorous treatment of per-unit calculations and protection coordination with practical guidance on device preparedness.
- Communication Deep-Dive – Explains physical link options, protocol choices (MODBUS, DNP3.0, IEC 61850) and network topologies essential for reliable DA .
- Business-Case Framework – Two in-depth case studies show how to justify DA investments, calculate crew-time savings and quantify performance gains.
Chapter Highlights
| Chapter | Topics Covered | Key Take-Away |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction to DA | Definitions; control hierarchies; stages of automation | Ground yourself in DA fundamentals and levels of ambition |
| 2. Central Control & DMS | SCADA, outage management, decision-support tools | See how real-time systems optimize network operations |
| 3. System Hardware | Switchgear, reclosers, instrument transformers | Match device capabilities to extended-control requirements |
| 4. Protection & Fault Indication | Relay schemes, fault-passage indicators, autoreclosing | Coordinate protection for safe, selective fault clearing |
| 5. Performance & Reliability | Reliability calculations; underground vs overhead networks | Quantify DA’s impact on continuity and outage reduction |
| 6. Communications for DA | Physical media; modulation techniques; protocol stacks | Choose links and protocols to meet latency and bandwidth needs |
| 7. Business Case & ROI | Benefits matrix; capital deferral; manpower savings | Build a compelling economic justification for DA projects |
| 8. Case Studies | Rural-feeder automation; urban-network DA rollout | Learn directly from successful DA implementations |
Strengths
- Comprehensive scope – From foundational DA concepts through detailed communication protocols, no critical topic is omitted.
- Balanced depth – Mixes academic rigor (formulas, reliability maths) with hands-on implementation advice.
- Author credibility – Northcote-Green and Wilson draw on decades of utility-side DA experience.
- Practical case studies – Two real-world examples guide readers through end-to-end DA projects, including benefit calculations.
Limitations
| Limitation | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Published 2006 | Pre-IEC 61850 maturity; lacks smart-grid IoT integration | Supplement with recent vendor app-notes and IEC 61850 case studies |
| High academic tone | Some sections dense for field technicians | Focus on practical chapters (6–8) and case studies for hands-on guidance |
| Price point | ~$160 for print may strain smaller teams | Use eBook editions or academic library access |
How It Compares
| Feature | Northcote-Green & Wilson (2006) | Electric Power Distribution, Automation, Protection, and Control (Momoh, 2008) | Smart Grid Communications (Gungor et al., 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | 488 | 520 | 384 |
| Academic depth | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Practical case studies | ✔︎ | ✖︎ | ✖︎ |
| Protocol coverage | Comprehensive | Basic | Focused on ICT |
| Best for | End-to-end DA design | Protection & control theory | ICT integration in smart grids |
FAQ
Q1: What is distribution automation (DA)?
DA uses sensors, remote-control switches and communications to automate feeder and substation operations—reducing outages and operating costs.
Q2: Does the book cover IEC 61850?
It predates IEC 61850’s widespread adoption; however, its generic communication-architecture principles apply, and readers can map to IEC 61850 concepts.
Q3: Who benefits most from this book?
Utility engineers, distribution planners, DA project managers and graduate-level researchers looking for a complete DA reference.
Q4: Where can I buy it?
Available new from major retailers (ISBN 9780824726317) and as an eBook; print editions run around US $159.50
