Distribution networks — Operation

In this article, for the sake of clarity, we'll retain the notations EHV (400, 225 and 150 kV), HV (90, 63 and 42 kV), MV (20 and 15 kV) and LV (380 and 220 V), although the current designations (UTE C 18-150) are EHV (for voltages above 50 kV), HV (for voltages between 1 and 50 kV), LV (for voltages between 500 and 1,000 V) and LV (for voltages between 50 and 500 V).

A distribution network must provide all customers with the best possible quality of supply under the most secure conditions and at the lowest cost.

To achieve these objectives, action can be taken on :

• design (structure, sizing and reliability of structures and equipment, level of automation, etc.);

• operating rules, which, once the facility has been built, determine how it is to be used. Operating issues involving the safety of the people involved and the public are not the sole responsibility of the distributor, but also involve the public authority, which explains the overlapping of regulatory texts and rules specific to the distributor. For this reason, this article focuses on the French situation and refers to operating conditions encountered in France, when networks are operated by EDF or other non-nationalized French distributors, who have generally adopted technical options close to those of EDF.