Non-Wire Solutions to Traditional Power Grid Upgrades

Problem Statement
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.

Design Process (First Term)
Detailed Design The first step in our design will be determining the integration capacity of the circuit. Integration Capacity” is the amount of DER capacity that can be installed on a distribution circuit without requiring significant distribution upgrades. From our locational value analysis research we know that the most successful locations are where the installation of DER’s will not require significant upgrades.

Initial Software Setup: 1.	Become familiar with Gridlab-D and the Common Information Model provided by the client. 2.	Import the CIM data into Gridlab-D and begin capacity testing.

Integration Capacity Design: 1. Determine the three segments on each feeder by identifying the start and end of each impedance zone on the main feeder. a. Determine the maximum impedance of each feeder. Once the maximum impedance is determined, the feeder will be divided into three segments. 2. Synthesize the circuit demand profile from AMI, SCADA, or other data, and input into GridLab-D.

3. Conduct power flow analysis to determine thermal and voltage limits on each line section. a. Place a 1MW generator at different points along each segment, and perform a power flow analysis to determine if the generator violates thermal or voltage limits anywhere along the feeder. If no violations are identified,capacity of the generator will be increased and the power flow analysis rerun.This process will continue until a violation is identified or reverse power flow occurs.

4. Conduct short circuit analysis to determine protection limits on each line section. a. Model a 1 MW generator at different points along each segment and perform a short circuit analysis to determine if the generator violates protection limits anywhere along the feeder. If no violations are identified, the generator’s capacity will be increased and the short circuit analysis rerun. This process will continue until a violation is identified. 5. Once a violation is identified, the integration capacity will be the largest generation capacity that passed the analysis without any violations.

For initial analysis the DER generation will remain below the minimum load on each circuit so that there is no reverse power flow back to the substation. After the integration capacity is determined for the circuit. We will then use the results of our locational value analysis research to determine what type of projects have the potential for DER deferral. We will focus on mainly capacity and voltage regulation projects. The categories of avoided cost that we will look at: 1.	New distribution substations, new distribution transformers, new distribution circuits, and reconductoring circuits. 2.	Capacitors, regulators, and substation transformer load tap changers to regulate voltage. 3.	New transmission substations, new transmission transformers, new transmission lines and reconductoring transmission lines. Some of the cost associated with these projects and DER projects that will be used in evaluating whether a DER project will be used over a traditional project are:

1.	Capital Expenditure- This consists of the net present value of the traditional project 2.	Capital Expenditure of DER- This consists of the net present value of the DER 3.	Capital Expenditure of interconnection- This consists of the cost of interconnecting the DER into the distribution grid. 4.	 Operation and maintenance- This represents the unincurred costs of not having to operate and maintain the traditional project 5.	Operation and maintenance of DER- added cost of operation and maintaining the DER We will use all this data to determine where and what kind of traditional projects may be deferred with DER projects.

DER’s under consideration:

1.	Energy Storage- Used to lower the peak demand and eliminate circuit overload. Can also used in conjunction with smart inverters to provide voltage regulation and power factor benefits

2.	Dynamic voltage controllers- Used for voltage regulation

3.	Smart inverters- Used for voltage regulation, (Used with PV installations)

4.	Power regulating transformer- Integrated transformer and power regulator, that regulates voltage, provides dynamic power compensation, and harmonic cancellation. Also remote control capabilities.

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
This will be updated later to include links to meeting minutes, team schedule, and other administrative resources.