With the arrival of new usages and stakeholders, the increase in fluctuating distributed energy resources, and the regulatory framework for grid operators, automation, monitoring and controllability are rising challenges for the distribution networks. The OpenNode project (www.opennode.eu), funded by the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the Grant Agreement Number 248119, brings together nine organizations from six European countries to tackle these issues. To address these topics, the OpenNode partners have developed an architecture combining smart metering with grid automation, which would allow today's power networks to evolve into smart distribution grids, enabling reliable and efficient grid operation. In order to elaborate this system, the OpenNode project has focused on the research and development of: (1) An open Secondary Substation Node (SSN), an essential control component of the future smart distribution grid; (2) A MiddleWare (MW) to couple the SSN operation with the utility systems for grid and utility operation; (3) A modular communication architecture based on standardised communication protocols.The paper describes the characteristics of the system and its benefits. We will go through the logic that led to the specification and implementation choices. The final assessment process will be detailed to provide an evaluation of the project's output.

The operation of power distribution networks becomes more and more challenging in the presence of DER, as well as new DSM requirements. Utilities need new tools to monitor and control the power distribution network, maintaining the reliability and the QoS facing these new conditions. Today's power distribution grids have to be transformed into "smart distribution grids" that feature on-line monitoring data and enable efficient, fast and secure grid operation. This issue is tackled in the OpenNode project, funded by European Commission in the 7 th framework program (www.opennode.eu). OpenNode focuses on the research and development of: (1) An open Secondary Substation Node (SSN), which is an essential control component of the future smart distribution grid; (2) A middleware to couple the SSN operation with the utility systems for grid and utility operation; (3) A modular communication architecture based on standardised communication protocols to grant the flexibility required by the stakeholder diversification and to cope with massively distributed embedded systems in the distribution grid.

In order to deal properly with a fast evolving number of smart grid automation devices and avoid significant OPEX, network operators are facing a growing need for an improved and more automatic way to facilitate the integration, monitoring and maintenance of these equipment. One key problem is to build and maintain an accurate knowledge of the automation and electrotechnical assets present on the field. A reliable database is essential to achieve an efficient maintenance management, whether preventive or corrective. This is one of the fundamental justification for the concept of System Management, which refers to functionalities that are not directly linked to the operational role of the equipment but allow it to perform its operational functions in the best conditions possible. Moreover, these functions are not limited to automation equipment but may apply to any distributed IED (Intelligent Electronic Device), for example those with telecom or cybersecurity features. This paper presents EDF's ongoing work on asset knowledge improvement using system management. To face the challenge of a widespread deployment of heterogeneous IEDs, EDF R&D is building an interoperable and vendor independent system, homogenous with the core 61850 operational functions of the devices, to enable an efficient management of its inventory of equipment.

In the new paradigm of energy and digital transition, the system automation designed for smart grid applications must be adapted to cater for new functional and reliability needs. To avoid significant increasing operating expenditure, the devices will therefore need to be updatable, configurable, and supervisable remotely. This is a cornerstone of the solution we call "System Management" (SM), which refers to functionalities that are not directly linked to the operational role of the equipment but allow it to perform its operational functions in the best conditions possible. This paper presents the ongoing EDF's work on system management. To face the challenge of a widespread deployment and interoperability, EDF R&D is developing a first System management prototype tool. The goal is to build an interoperable and vendor independent system, homogenous with the core 61850 primary functions of the equipment.