The future role of human operators in highly automated electric power systems

• Published in: Electric power systems research Vol. 175; p. 105883
• Main Authors: Prostejovsky, Alexander M., Brosinsky, Christoph, Heussen, Kai, Westermann, Dirk, Kreusel, Jochen, Marinelli, Mattia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Automation; Control room; Control rooms; Control systems; Decision support systems; Distributed generation; Electric power systems; Electricity distribution; Energy technology; Human computer interaction; Human operators; Literature reviews; Management systems; Operators; Power system management; Renewable energy sources; Situation awareness; Decision support systems; Human computer interaction; Control room; Situation awareness; Power system management; Human operators
• ISSN: 0378-7796; 1873-2046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2019.105883

•Discusses scope and aspects of automation on electric grid operation.•Discusses situational awareness (SA) of human operators in the control room (CR).•Identifies CR tasks and interactions considering a high degree of grid automation.•Proposes decision support system design to assist human operators in their new roles.•Human operators will remain essential for grid operation in extremal grid conditions. In the wake of the widespread deployment of renewable energy sources (RESs) and the introduction of other distributed energy technologies, the grid exhibits faster and more intricate dynamics. A lot of attention is therefore being put on automated grid management systems, which entail a shift in the role and tasks of human operators in the control rooms (CRs). Given the rapid pace of development, the question ultimately arises if human guidance is necessary at all to safely operate the grid. This work investigates the prospective role of the human operators in CRs under consideration of cognitive challenges in highly automated power systems, aiming to maintain safe and efficient grid operation. A review on relevant literature casts light on the scope of influence of automated grid management systems, the operational states of power system that will still require human assistance, as well as activities and interactions. Finally, recommendations on the design of decision support systems (DSS) supporting humans in their future role are provided.