7.23.15 SEPA Webinar Innovation for Interconnection
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Innovation for Interconnection: Utility Practices, Procedures & Mitigation Strategies
Webinar FAQs • Recording & slides will be sent to all registered attendees within two business days. • Submit questions in the chat window at any time. • Questions will be answered following the presentations. Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Upcoming Events Upcoming Webinars Check www.solarelectricpower.org for updates!
SEPA Integration Workshop: Maximizing the Value of Distributed Energy Resources Register today at www.solarpowerinternational.com/workshops
SEPA Solar Power Players Awards Luncheon Register today at www.regonline.com/2015PowerPlayers
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Speakers
Moderator: Jennifer Szaro Senior Director of Programs SEPA
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineer & Principal Investigator, Distributed Grid Integration NREL Power Systems Engineering Center
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Interconnection Practices for 21 U.S. Utilities
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineering Researcher Power Systems Engineering Center
July 23, 2015
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
PV HOSTING CAPACITY IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SCREENING METHODS
6
21 Utilities – NREL and EPRI NSP Com Ed Detroit Edison Nashville Electric
PG&E SCE SDG&E SMUD
NSTAR National Grid Con Ed O&R Central Hudson LIPA PEPCO
PSCO PNM APS Tri County Electric Coop Austin Power SPS
7
Questionnaire Areas of Focus • Application Process and Timeline
• Fast-Track Screens and Supplemental Screens • Utility Concerns of PV Grid Impacts • Types of Impact Studies & Software Tools • Mitigation Strategies Employed
8
Classic Interconnection Process Bypass Expedited Review
Fail
Complete Application
Fast-Track Screens
Expedited Review Process
Fail Supplemental Review Screens
Feasibility & Facility Studies
Model PV on Feeder
Mitigate Grid Impacts
$ Supplemental study Process
System Approval
$$$ Detailed Study Process (Slower, Expensive, Time-Consuming)
There are significant differences amongst U.S. Electric utilities in processes, tools, modeling platforms, and mitigation strategies 9
Significant Grid Impact Concerns • • • • • • • •
Voltage Regulation - 16 Reverse power flow - 11 Protection coordination - 10 Increased duty of line regulation equipment - 8 Unintentional islanding - 8 Secondary networks - 6 Variability due to clouds - 5 Capacitor switching - 4 10
Types of Impact Studies, Software Most utilities employ one or more of the following study types • • • • • • • • • •
Feasibility Facility Power Flow (common) Short Circuit (common) Voltage (common) Quasi-Static Time Series Flicker Power Quality Dynamic/Transient Stability Electromagnetic Transient
Common software • • • • • •
SynerGEE (IOUs) CymDist (IOUs) Milsoft Windmil (coops) DEW ASPEN (protection) OpenDSS
11
Commonplace Mitigation Strategies Strategy Employed As Needed
SW (5)
Central (3)
California (4)
NE (7)
Protection Coordination Mods (16)
4
3
3
6
Upgraded Line Sections (16)
4
2
4
6
Voltage Regulation Devices (13)
4
1
3
5
Direct Transfer Trip (12)
2
3
1
6
Communication & Control (11)
4
1
2
4
Advanced Inverters (11)
3
2
3
3
Power Factor Controls (8)
4
1
x
3
Grounding Transformers (8)
2
2
2
2
Reclosers to Prevent Islands (3)
x
1
x
2
Capacitor Control Modifications (1)
x
x
x
1
Static VAR Compensators (1)
1
x
x
x
Volt/VAR Controls (1)
x
x
x
1 12
What is Working Well / Best Practices • Uniform state rules for all utilities • Overall streamlined, transparent processes • Open communication between utility and PV developers • Online interconnection applications • Ease of tracking project (communications)
13
What is Working Well / Best Practices • Logical fast-track screening approach • Supplemental screening options used to solve minor grid impacts, avoiding impact studies • Standard impact study approach using software • Economical and effective mitigation strategies Bypass Expedited Review
Fail
Complete Application
FastTrack Screens
Expedited Review Process
Fail Supplemental Review Screens
Feasibilit y& Facility Studies
Model PV on Feeder
Mitigate Grid Impacts
$ Supplemental study Process
System Approval
$$$ Detailed Study Process (Slower, Expensive, Time-Consuming) 14
Questions and Discussion [email protected]
Q&A
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineer & Principal Investigator, Distributed Grid Integration NREL Power Systems Engineering Center
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Innovation for Interconnection: Utility Practices, Procedures & Mitigation Strategies
Webinar FAQs • Recording & slides will be sent to all registered attendees within two business days. • Submit questions in the chat window at any time. • Questions will be answered following the presentations. Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Upcoming Events Upcoming Webinars Check www.solarelectricpower.org for updates!
SEPA Integration Workshop: Maximizing the Value of Distributed Energy Resources Register today at www.solarpowerinternational.com/workshops
SEPA Solar Power Players Awards Luncheon Register today at www.regonline.com/2015PowerPlayers
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Speakers
Moderator: Jennifer Szaro Senior Director of Programs SEPA
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineer & Principal Investigator, Distributed Grid Integration NREL Power Systems Engineering Center
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
Interconnection Practices for 21 U.S. Utilities
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineering Researcher Power Systems Engineering Center
July 23, 2015
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
PV HOSTING CAPACITY IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SCREENING METHODS
6
21 Utilities – NREL and EPRI NSP Com Ed Detroit Edison Nashville Electric
PG&E SCE SDG&E SMUD
NSTAR National Grid Con Ed O&R Central Hudson LIPA PEPCO
PSCO PNM APS Tri County Electric Coop Austin Power SPS
7
Questionnaire Areas of Focus • Application Process and Timeline
• Fast-Track Screens and Supplemental Screens • Utility Concerns of PV Grid Impacts • Types of Impact Studies & Software Tools • Mitigation Strategies Employed
8
Classic Interconnection Process Bypass Expedited Review
Fail
Complete Application
Fast-Track Screens
Expedited Review Process
Fail Supplemental Review Screens
Feasibility & Facility Studies
Model PV on Feeder
Mitigate Grid Impacts
$ Supplemental study Process
System Approval
$$$ Detailed Study Process (Slower, Expensive, Time-Consuming)
There are significant differences amongst U.S. Electric utilities in processes, tools, modeling platforms, and mitigation strategies 9
Significant Grid Impact Concerns • • • • • • • •
Voltage Regulation - 16 Reverse power flow - 11 Protection coordination - 10 Increased duty of line regulation equipment - 8 Unintentional islanding - 8 Secondary networks - 6 Variability due to clouds - 5 Capacitor switching - 4 10
Types of Impact Studies, Software Most utilities employ one or more of the following study types • • • • • • • • • •
Feasibility Facility Power Flow (common) Short Circuit (common) Voltage (common) Quasi-Static Time Series Flicker Power Quality Dynamic/Transient Stability Electromagnetic Transient
Common software • • • • • •
SynerGEE (IOUs) CymDist (IOUs) Milsoft Windmil (coops) DEW ASPEN (protection) OpenDSS
11
Commonplace Mitigation Strategies Strategy Employed As Needed
SW (5)
Central (3)
California (4)
NE (7)
Protection Coordination Mods (16)
4
3
3
6
Upgraded Line Sections (16)
4
2
4
6
Voltage Regulation Devices (13)
4
1
3
5
Direct Transfer Trip (12)
2
3
1
6
Communication & Control (11)
4
1
2
4
Advanced Inverters (11)
3
2
3
3
Power Factor Controls (8)
4
1
x
3
Grounding Transformers (8)
2
2
2
2
Reclosers to Prevent Islands (3)
x
1
x
2
Capacitor Control Modifications (1)
x
x
x
1
Static VAR Compensators (1)
1
x
x
x
Volt/VAR Controls (1)
x
x
x
1 12
What is Working Well / Best Practices • Uniform state rules for all utilities • Overall streamlined, transparent processes • Open communication between utility and PV developers • Online interconnection applications • Ease of tracking project (communications)
13
What is Working Well / Best Practices • Logical fast-track screening approach • Supplemental screening options used to solve minor grid impacts, avoiding impact studies • Standard impact study approach using software • Economical and effective mitigation strategies Bypass Expedited Review
Fail
Complete Application
FastTrack Screens
Expedited Review Process
Fail Supplemental Review Screens
Feasibilit y& Facility Studies
Model PV on Feeder
Mitigate Grid Impacts
$ Supplemental study Process
System Approval
$$$ Detailed Study Process (Slower, Expensive, Time-Consuming) 14
Questions and Discussion [email protected]
Q&A
Michael Coddington Senior Electrical Engineer & Principal Investigator, Distributed Grid Integration NREL Power Systems Engineering Center
Helping Utilities Make Smart Solar Decisions
