Spokane Microgrid Distributed Generation and Storage

Welcome to the Smart Spokane Wiki Page!

Our team is 1 of 3 teams at the University of Idaho who are working with Avista Utilities to develop a microgrid in the downtown area of Spokane, WA. The other two teams are the Master Controller team and the Automated Generator Controller (AGC) team.

Our team's part and mission is to investigate current options for distributed generators and energy storage and then examine locations for and study integration of these microgrid components.

Background
On November 17, 2015, a strong windstorm hit the city of Spokane. The strong winds severed the power transmission lines from the Columbia River generating stations. After a long four weeks, Avista Utilities, the local electric power utility, fully restored power service.

Proposed Solution
Avista Utilities is working with federal programs such as Smart Cities to develop a Smart grid for Spokane. As a part of the Smart grid package, a Microgrid will be developed for the downtown area. These developments will improve reliability of the power service thus raising the level of quality service, and also decrease cost caused by blackouts.


 * Smart Grids

According to smartgrid.gov, a Smart Grid is an electrical grid that has been integrated with modern digital technology to allow it to sense and respond to changes in electric demand. Thus it creates a "two-way communication between the utility and its customers." This communication and response is increasingly more important as the customers can contribute to generation with renewable energy generators such as solar panels.


 * MicroGrids

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) defines a microgrid as a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within a clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or islanded-mode (1).

Our Goals
Hospital Generators

Identify the steps needed to convert the generators fuel supply from diesel to natural gas Assess changed in power output caused by the fuel change Compile a comparison of three best market conversion kits Locate any other possible generators that can be slaved to the Smart Grid Controller

Relays

Learn how to use the relays to properly bring up DG’s and hospital backup generators Compile a comparison of the three best relays for each use Determine amount of relays needed Specify potential locations for the relays Work with the Master Controller group on load shedding scheme and the sequencing of relay switching</li> Determine measurements that need to be taken and sent to master controller</li> Figure out the most reliable and secure method of communication between the relay and master controller</li>

Solar

Compile a comparison of the three best solar generators on the market</li> Find the best locations to install the solar generators on the basis of space, and sun exposer</li> Learn how to best set up the transfer of energy to the grid</li> Assess Private Solar Generation in the downtown location, then include in diagrams</li>
 * Determine the maximum amount of solar generators that can be installed according to:</li>
 * -Location
 * -Cost
 * -Law/Property ownership

Energy Storage


 * Compile a list of the tope 5 most reliable and highest quality energy storage device(s) on the market


 * Determine amount of energy storage devices needed


 * Find best locations to install energy storage devices: indoor or outdoor


 * Determine maximum amount of energy storage resources that can be installed

Deliverables

 * A schematic detailing the interconnection of the distributed generators, the charge controllers, the battery banks, the converters, and the grid.
 * Low-scale simulation of the design
 * Map of recommend locations for distributed generators, battery banks, etc.

Integrating and Improving Existing Assets
Within the Microgrid area are three main hospitals, Deaconess, Sacred Heart, and Shriners. The fuel for the generators is currently diesel. To reduce the environmental impact from running these generators, the team petitioned the client, Avista to offer an incentive on the electrical rates if they would use a conversion kit to change the fuel consumed by the generators to natural gas.

Natural gas burns cleaner than diesel and is readily available in Spokane. It should also be cheaper than diesel. The team is currently investigating the change in energy output.

The team plans to investigate other equipement that would allow the generators to sync with the grid and follow the master controller commands.

Inter-team Cooperation: Control Communication
Smart Spokane has discussed the relays to be used will be Viper relays and the ATS appropriate to each generator. Discussion on data protocols and measurements will be held in the future.

Solar Generation
The team is currently investigating the best available locations for the solar panels using Google Earth. the client contact, Randy has mentioned that the Event Center is looking to place solar panels on its roof.

Further progress in the investigation into best market sources and energy storage will be slow until the location data is gathered.

Energy Storage
The two current battery bank types under consideration are Lithium-ion and Vanadium Redox. These two battery banks are stored within a container similar to Intermodal containers seen on freight ships. The Lithium-ion has the higher energy density. Therefore the equivalent battery bank is smaller compared to the Vanadium Redox. The disadvantage of the Lithium-ion, is that it experiences a significant capacity loss from a charge/discharge cycle. The Vanadium Redox battery bank does have experience much capacity loss from frequent use (charge/discharge cycles.) Randy, the Avista representative reports, that they expect the Vanadium Redox battery to have a service life of about 20 years.

Wikipage Editing Help
To upload a picture go to here: http://mindworks.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Special:Upload

Quick Help? See:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet

Great Capstone Example: Fuel Rod Defect Detection page

The Archive
This section needs to include links to team files, such as: Meeting minutes</li> Presentations</li> Posters</li> Final reports</li> Any other documentation needed to repeat the work</li>

Naming Convention for documents: 2016_projectname_filename.extension

Store a copy of the wiki files on the shared drive (engineering/senior design/wikimaterials/capstone)