Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)
67 Case Studies
Case Study: Westar Energy improves reliability and reduces system losses with SEL’s Distribution Network Automation
A Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) Case Study
Improving System Performance Using SEL’s Distribution Network Automation (DNA™)
Westar Energy, an investor-owned electric utility serving eastern Kansas, needed to improve distribution reliability, shorten outage restoration times, reduce system losses, and gain better operational visibility across its network. To address these goals, Westar Energy worked with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to deploy SEL’s Distribution Network Automation (DNA) solution, including fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR) and volt/VAR control capabilities.
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) implemented the system in phases using SEL-651R recloser controls, a SEL-3530 Real-Time Automation Controller, a SEL-3620 Ethernet Security Gateway, cellular communications, and integrated legacy and new devices through Westar’s existing EMS/SCADA environment. The result was a highly cost-effective automated distribution solution that improved reliability, reduced customer interruptions by about 173,000 customer minutes interrupted, lowered system losses, and set the stage for broader automation across Westar Energy’s service territory.
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