Non-Wire Solutions to Traditional Power Grid Upgrades

Our project goal is to propose non-wire solutions to satisfy the needs of the consumers since the substations' solutions are very expensive. The suggested method consists of using integration capacity analysis to find the constraints of the system, then use locational value analysis to find non-wire solutions to the problem that beat the current bid.

Problem Statement
There is a place in Idaho where the load concentrations are a long distance from substations, making voltage drop, cold load pick up and protection a challenge. In response to new ideals from consumers regarding the utility companies we are conducting research into providing non-wire solutions and reform how the utility plays a role in energy distribution.

Initial Design Ideas

 * 1) Smart Inverter
 * 2) * Operate PV cells at lower efficiency to aid in voltage regulation via reactive power generation/consumption
 * 3) Energy Storage
 * 4) * Local power regulation to help the local loads at peak times during the day.
 * 5) * May be used in tandem with PV cells to add to the operational capacity of the auxiliary system.
 * 6) Smart Meters
 * 7) * Used by the utility or requested by the customer to ensure the greatest efficiency of the local load consumption.

Deliverables

 * Research Report Nov 17th
 * Report summarizing topics that are of interest to the client.


 * Gridlab-D Model April 9th 2018
 * Develop a model using the Software Gridlab-D to aid the client in future scenario simulation.


 * Final Report May 1st
 * Final Project report summarizing the year of research and fulfilling all the normal capstone requirements.

Links to Resources

 * Meeting agendas
 * Meeting minutes