ISGT-LA 2011
Implementation of Smart Grids in the Colombian
Electrical Sector
A. Aldana R. Cespedes
Universidad Nacional RConsulting Group
Bogota, Colombia Universidad Nacional
Student Member SM-IEEE
Abstract—A workshop was developed to determine a
roadmap for the implementation of smart grids in Colombia.
More than 125 participants from different companies,
universities, government, etc. took part of this process.
According with previously established focus areas,
workgroups voted two matrices: Pertinence and Relevance.
The results were analyzed to construct an initial roadmap of
the Colombian electrical sector in three phases. This road map
is a key element to organize the efforts of the electrical sector
towards a Smart Grid implementation. Among other
possibilities the Carnegie Mellon University Smart Grid
Maturity Model (SGMM) will be used to track the progress of
the Smart Grids technologies implementation of the country
and of participant utilities in this important program.
Index Terms— Workshop, Smart Grids, Roadmap.
I. INTRODUCTION
T HE workshop – Technology and Implementation of
Smart Grids in the Colombian Electrical Sector– held
in Medellin - Colombia, was developed between November
22 and 24, of 2010. The workshop had participation of
representatives of several companies, industry, universities
and government, related to the electrical sector and
business. The objective of the workshop was to identify the
state of the art of Smart Grids development in the country
and to collect basic information for initiating the
construction of a Smart Grids Road Map, based on the
experience and knowledge of the participants.
This paper summarizes the methodology, main topics,
results and conclusions of the workshop. First, an
introduction of the basic considerations and the components
of the workshop and roadmap are presented. Then, an
example of the methodology and its development is
described, and finally the road map with the conclusions of
the almost 120 participation is presented. This work is one
of the initial tasks of several needed for the implementation
R. Cespedes is partner of RConsulting Group SAS and associate
professor of Universidad Nacional, Bogota, Colombia.
renato.cespedes@rcgsas.com.
E. Parra is Associate Professor at the National University of Colombia
and Senior Consultant of RConsulting Group
estrella.parra@rcgsas.com.
A. Aldana is MSc student at the National University of Colombia and
consultant engineer f RConsulting Group SAS, aaldanami@unal.edu.co
R. Lopez is with XM SA. ESP, Colombia, relopez@xm.com.co
M. E. Ruiz is with XM SA. ESP, Colombia, meruiz@xm.com.co
978-1-4577-1801-4/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE
1
E. Parra R. Lopez M.E. Ruiz
Universidad Nacional XM SA ESP XM SA ESP
Bogota, Colombia Medellin, Colombia Medellin, Colombia
Member
of smart grids in Colombia. Finally, the Colombia
Inteligente initiative is introduced as the relationship
between the Smart Grid Maturity Model and the roadmap.
II. MOTIVATION
Worldwide the electric power systems are changing, they
are evolving. There are many achievements in different
areas that make you wonder which next steps are in future
developments of the electrical sector. Each country facing
this question realizes that something needs to be done. But
what tasks and in which order need to be addressed and
when? The Smart Grids concept is of broad scope, with
several approaches depending on each country or region
and with different paths that certainly may lead to different
results and at different paces. In consequence it is
mandatory to evaluate the framework for the
implementation of Smart Grids in the specific situation of
Colombia. Once a base point and the expected future
milestones are established, a path connecting them can be
established. The path is a roadmap, a tool for organizing
the milestones, activities, projects, requirements, etc, in line
with the desired future target or targets. The roadmap´s
elements are organized chronologically according with the
expectations of each phase. It is useful also to determine
what benefits are expected, based on trends and on
international experiences.
The main actors of the Colombian electrical sector realized
the importance of Smart Grids and decided to build a
roadmap. The form to discuss the different opinions and
points of those actors of view for building the roadmap was
developing a workshop. The result of the workshop is the
first version of the Colombian Smart Grid roadmap.
III. WORKSHOP
A. Basic Considerations
For studying the subjects/topics of the electrical business,
the workgroup proposed five main focus areas, according to
the value chain: Transmission, Generation, Distribution,
Consumer and Support Areas (regulations and standards,
telecom-systems, human resources).
Each group included sub-groups and the so called elements
SAS, which are components of the Smart Grids. Each element
was defined to be addressed separately, and they were
defined in order to reach a common understanding in
subjects that are rather new to the audience; this common
base was set in a document that defines the elements which
ISGT-LA 2011 2

was made available to participants. Elements used were 4) Focus areas: For better understanding of the electrical
about 76 which were part of the following sub-groups: business, the workgroup uses the typical stages as focus
areas: Transmission, Generation, Distribution, Costumer
• Consumer and the support areas.
ƒ Home Area Networks
ƒ Demand Side Management 5) Development phase: Each element has relative priority
ƒ Energetic Efficiency due many factors. Not all elements can be achieved at the
ƒ Electric Vehicles same time. The defined phases are:
• Distribution
ƒ Infrastructure development • Conceptualization (2011-2012): Colombia realizes the
ƒ Flexible network importance of looking towards smart and efficient
ƒ Smart Operation energy systems. Fundamental basic theory and
• Generation international experience are studied. Roadmap and
ƒ Generation with renewable vision is consolidated. Projects are formulated.
ƒ Centralized generation • Development (2012-2025): New, efficient and smart
ƒ Market technologies become part of the Colombian system.
• Transmission International trends are adopted with specific projects.
ƒ PMUs infrastructure • Consolidation (2026-…): The energetic culture of the
ƒ Flexible network with power electronics country is oriented to efficient and environmental-
ƒ Asset technologies friendly systems. New technologies are established as
ƒ Advanced operation part of the grid.
• Regulatory and Standards Support
ƒ Regulation C. Pertinence Matrix: Designed with the objective to
ƒ Environmental regulation identify:
ƒ Standardization
• Subgroup’s and area pertinence
• Human Resources Support
ƒ Future company • Challenges without or with few elements
ƒ Training • Elements with negative effects
ƒ I+d+i • Dependence between subgroups and supports
• ICT Support
ƒ Communication Fig. 1 presents the components of the Pertinence Matrix.
ƒ IT
B. Initial Roadmap
According with similar exercises and international
experience, the workgroup structured a proposal for the
road map, based on five main components:

1) Initial situation: Diagnostic of the present system,

using indicators such as efficiency, energy security, fuels,
AMI penetration, etc. All indicators are included in the Fig. 1. Pertinence Matrix structure
project Metrics. Three Support Areas are defined:
Regulatory, Human Resources and ICT. A support area Fig. 2 shows the voting criteria.
helps the development of all the electrical sector activities.
Based in the initial analysis, ten Challenges for the Smart
Grids in Colombia are identified:
• Service Quality • Market structure
• NIZ (Non-Interconnected • Commercial management
Zones) coverage • Asset Management
• Reliability Fig. 2. Criteria for voting the Pertinence Matrix Components
• Demand Side Management
• Industrial and technological • Energy security
development D. Relevance Matrix: Designed with the following
• Energetic efficiency objectives:
• Organize by phases the identified elements
2) Vision: Global concept that includes all the elements of • Determine the relative complexity of elements
the road map and what is expected to achieve. • Determine the priority of elements

3) Objectives: Aligned with the challenges and the vision. Fig. 3 shows the components of the Relevance Matrix.
The final objectives are a result from the analysis of the
workshop.
ISGT-LA 2011
Fig. 3. Relevance Matrix structure
Fig. 4 shows the criteria for filling the matrix.
Fig. 4. Criteria for the Relevance Matrix
IV. METHODOLOGY
Fig. 5 shows the main steps in the workshop.
Fig. 5. Workshop methodology activities
1) Introduction of the workshop’s stages; Day and a half
activities included in the program: Brief introduction to
Smart Grid concept. Several presentations, group voting,
individual voting, workgroup, challenges selection and
results description.
2) Wireless voting to general questions about:
International and Colombian electrical sector, smart grids
deployment, energy trends, drivers for implementation,
communications, AMI, Distributed Generation, etc., about
30 questions for setting up the current state and potential of
the smart grids. The end of the group voting was the
selection of the five main challenges, between the ten
challenges initially considered.
3) As part of the presentations, two manufacturers showed
their experience on Smart Grids topics. This was good for
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having participant’s understanding of international real
experiences.
4) Presentation of Roadmap activities; Description of the
road map elements, structure, objectives, selected
challenges, definition of the composition of workgroups
integrating different views of the electrical sector.
5) Explanation of the Pertinence and Relevance Matrix
(Section III.C and III.D).
6) Explanation of the use of the Pertinence Matrix, an
example with the Transmission group was done using the
wireless voting.
7) Eleven workgroups were conformed: Transmission (2),
Distribution (3), Generation (2), Consumer (1), Regulation
(1), ICTs (1) and Human Resources (1). At each
workgroup, everyone voted individually and later they
decided as a group, to consolidate the two used matrices.
8) Each workgroup designated a member to present the
results and the main conclusions of their work.
9) The workshop was ended.
V. RESULTS
The result of the workshop is the roadmap for the
implementation of Smart Grids in the electrical sector in
Colombia. At the beginning a preliminary/empty roadmap
was introduced to the audience. The Metrics and Support
Areas remains the same, but the challenges were focused in
five main: Asset Management, Energetic Efficiency,
Energy Security, Demand Response and Reliability. Those
challenges were selected at the second step of the
methodology.
The vision of the Colombian electrical sector was defined
as:
Develop, operate and maintain an
electric power and energy system in a
more secure, efficient, reliable,
economic and environment-friendly
form, taking care of the requirements –
defining quantitatively and by quality -
the electric energy supply of an active
demand.
The objectives, aligned with the selected challenges, are:
• Take infrastructure decisions according with the Asset
Management criteria to ensure a correct use of the assets
conditions maximizing their capabilities.
• Improve the efficiency in the entire value chain
ISGT-LA 2011
Fig. 6. Transmission Results
• To plan, develop, operate and maintain the electric
power system based on high reliability criteria,
implementing the technological developments
• Evolve the consumer to a proactive participant in the
electrical business, be aware of his characteristics and
allowing for them to have a structured decision power
• Ensure the energy security for the country development
The main results obtained for of each area are summarized
next.
A. Transmission
The Asset Management is fundamental for the correct use
of the elements. That is why an AM culture is needed to
change the current processes and methodologies. The
digital substation although not completely new shall be
more aligned with standards (IEC61850), needing more
studies and wide adoption. This is one area that could be of
obligatory compliance in the future regulation. The
standardization effort is progressing well but needs more
time to be properly developed. There are many elements
that are going to benefit the system, but they need more
research and development time, including advanced
materials and system restoration functions. (Fig. 6)
B. Generation
The Distributed Generation is a form to increase de demand
participation. The electric energy is needed everywhere, so
is highly important to take the service to all corners of the
country. The improvement of the Non-Interconnected
Zones is an urgent project. The renewable energy is not an
urgent project given that enough conventional energy is
available. The generation structure of the electric energy is
considered adequate. For the future, the renewals are going
to be more important. Several studies are needed to choose
the best alternative for installing new generation.
C. Distribution
The Distribution system is the one with more identified
objectives. The elements of the Smart operation are
required to have a stronger system. The conclusion is that
there are many options with successful experience. The
Asset Management is also a source information. The
difficult part is to utilize that information in the correct
form. The remuneration of the new and advanced assets is
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one option to foster the evolution of the network, based on
ICT systems. The AMI is necessary but need more
development, field experience and changes in the local
regulation. The electric vehicles are slowly entering the
country. In a few years this share may become an important
load and challenge the distribution system. Efforts in
automation, for many situations in the distribution systems,
shall be explored in depth.
D. Consumer
New technologies to increase the consumer participation
are available at the market. The constant evolution and new
vendors, facilitate the creation of a culture of gadgets that
shall be evaluated carefully before adopting them. The
education of the consumer is very important; it is necessary
to improve the “relationship” between the electric
energy/utility and the consumer. The topics of energetic
efficiency shall gain more and more importance in the use
of electrical energy and the consumer participation.
E. Supports
In general, the current state is not bad, but a renovation is
necessary. Each support is fine for the old power system,
but the challenges presented by the Smart Grids needs an
integral engineer, with excellent technical knowledge.
As example, Fig. 6 shows the Transmission Area Results.
The initial list of elements is sorted according with the final
voting. Each element was classified in the phases by the
Relevance Matrix criteria. Each focus area has a similar
structure. Fig. 7 is the first part of the roadmap. For the
complete results, please download the executive summary
at Colombia Inteligente website. [1]
VI. “COLOMBIA INTELIGENTE”
Colombia Inteligente (CI), or Smart Colombia, is an
initiative for the development of the new technologies and
trends by the implementation of a countrywide program of
projects. It is the evolution of the electric system in
Colombia together with other main sectors that are closely
related because of their influence on or the influence by the
electrical sector. In that strategic framework, there are 5
main sectors: Energy, Electrical, Consumer, Transport and
Construction. The principal objective of the initiative is to
achieve that Colombia reaches an overall good efficiency
ISGT-LA 2011
by implementing best practices of energetic use and
technological efficient solutions in the five sectors. CI is a
future vision with work progressing in specific projects to
bring many benefits to the country. As such, CI is the inter-
sectorial strategic framework that defines the main goals,
direction and metrics of the road towards a sustainable and
efficient electrical system, with reliable and secure
operation.
The promoters of this initiative are XM (Power System and
Market Operator), CIDET (Electrical Sector Research
Center), COCIER (Colombian branch of CIER), CNO
(National Operation Council), CAC (Commercialization
Advisor Committee) and CINTEL (Communications
Research Center). Together these institutions are
developing the proposal to jointly – with several companies
of the electrical sector- develop the necessary tasks and
projects. This initiative is the result of previous meetings
and workshops where the necessity to work together to
maximize the benefits, was placed as a key requirement.
The National Program of Smart Grids (PRIC) is the
development of projects inside the framework defined by
CI. The program has an independent structure, with efforts
to achieve concrete short-term objectives but aligned with
the long term goals of the strategic framework. Both, CI
and PRIC, have common actors, objectives, action plans,
etc. For further information refer to
www.colombiainteligente.com.co
VII. SMART GRID MATURITY MODEL
The Smart Grid Maturity Model [2] is a management
tool, developed by the Software Engineering Institute at
Carnegie Mellon University. The model provides a
framework for understanding the current state of smart grid
deployment and capability. It is composed of eight model
domains with six defined levels of maturity.
Domains are logical groupings of smart grid related
capabilities and characteristics. The six levels of maturity
represent defined stages of an organization’s progress
toward achieving its smart grid vision. The SGMM
Compass assessment is the tool for the maturity rating of an
electric utility.
The link between the roadmap and the SGMM is the
establishment of the future strategy plan. Once an utility
knows where it is, and has clues of the possible future
achievements, is much easier to set up a strategic plan
aligned with the corporative vision. The SGMM was
adopted to follow up the progress in the roadmap route of
this country wide initiative.
VIII. CONCLUSION
As Smart Grids are progressing worldwide, Colombia
cannot be outside this progress. The “Colombia Inteligente”
initiative provides a countrywide strategic framework for
related works. As part of this analysis of the framework of
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the Smart Grids, a roadmap was structured to align works in
order to obtain all the expected benefits and milestones of
the electric power system evolution. The participation of all
the actors in the electrical business in this roadmap ensures
an solid base with consolidated results. The SGMM will be
a useful tool to determine the progress with a worldwide
framework.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Specials thanks to all the participants from the electrical
sector in the Smart Grid Workshop and the organizing
entities, including XM, Empresas Públicas de Medellín
(EPM) and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB). Also
to Universidad de los Andes for the technological support
(wireless voting) and logistical help.
REFERENCES
[1] Colombia Inteligente.
http://www.colombiainteligente.com.co
[2] Smart Grid Maturity Model. Model Definition. A framework for
smart grid transformation. The SGMM Team. October 2010.
Renato Cespedes G. graduated as Electrical Engineer (1972) from the
University of the Andes (Colombia) and obtained a Doctor in Electrical
Engineering (1976) degree from the National Polytechnique Institute of
Grenoble, France. He is associate professor at the National University of
Colombia. Dr. Cespedes is presently partner and CEO of RCONSULTING
GROUP, a consulting company based in Bogotá with interest in
automation, technology and Smart Grid concepts. Dr. Cespedes retired in
2009 from KEMA Inc. where he held the position of Director of the Latin
America operations.
Estrella Parra. Eng. Parra was born in Bogotá, Colombia. She finished
her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the Department of Electrical
Engineering of the National University of Colombia. She is Specialist in
Power Systems, she has been teaching in the National University of
Colombia since 1980 and has been awarded of the medal to the university
merit and in numerous occasions she has received the distinction of
Exceptional Teacher. Mrs. Parra has participated in various consulting
studies and is a recognized professional in her subjects of interest.
Andres Aldana (S’10) was born in Bogota, Colombia, in 1988. He
received his electrical engineering degree from the National University of
Colombia, Bogota, in 2010. He is doing his M.Sc. in Electrical
Engineering at the same university. Currently he is consultant engineer at
RConsulting Group. He has experience in illumination: commercial and
street lighting, and Smart Grids projects. Mr. Aldana has special interest in
Environmental Impact Assessment applied to the electrical infrastructure
(subject of his master thesis), Smart Grids and control centers.
Maria Elena Ruiz. Eng. Ruiz is electrical engineer of the University of
Antioquia. She is with XM SA ESP, as specialist, where she develops
many projects including Smart Grids, electrical market and others.
Raul Lopez. Eng. Lopez received his degree of Computer Engineering
of the University Antonio Nariño at Medellin. He is responsible for the
XM technological group for innovation project development including
smart grids, control systems for electricity and mobility. Wide
international experience in projects at Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia,
etc.
ISGT-LA 2011 6

Fig. 7. Electrical Sector Roadmap