2014 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition Chicago, IL April 15, 2014 Panel Session: Technologies for Advanced Volt/VAR Control Implementation Volt/VAR Control as Part of an Integrated Distribution Management System (Central Control) G. Larry Clark Principal Engineer Power Delivery Alabama Power Company, A Southern Company 1
2 Agenda - Volt VAR Control & IDMS Introduction Distributed Capacitor Controller Controller and Power Quality Benefits at discrete line capacitor locations Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System Benefits of centralized control Conclusions
3 The Southern Company Serve 4.4 Million Retail Customers Generating Capacity : 42,000 MW 120,000 Square Miles
4 Alabama Power Company APC serves 1,434,468 Customers APC generating Total Nameplate Capacity: 12,222 megawatts Generation (kwh) percentages Coal 59.1 % Nuclear.. 19.9 % Gas and Oil 12.6 % Hydro.. 8.4 % Regulated by The Alabama Public Service Commission
5 Alabama Power Company Over 6,800 Employees 10,460 Miles Transmission 81,132 Miles Distribution 44,500 Sq. Mile Service Territory Six Geographic Divisions
7 Distributed Capacitor Controller Independent phase switching Zero-voltage crossing switching using RTU programmable logic Supports fault detection Provides power system measurements Monitors power quality and reports %THD Cost-effective solution for pole application
Distributed Capacitor Controller 9
10 Distributed Capacitor Controller Controller Switched on at zero voltage crossing Switched off at zero current crossing Independent phase operation Logic compensates for changes in switch operating time Automatic and manual operation Remote monitoring and control
Distributed Capacitor Controller 11
12 Distributed Capacitor Controller Power Quality Direct AC inputs facilitates harmonic measurements %THD reported per phase in real-time Shunt capacitors concentrate harmonic current Potential for telephone interference Remote switching is short-term solution
13 Distributed Capacitor Controller Benefits at discrete line capacitor locations Reduced line losses Improved distribution circuit voltage profile Increased distribution circuit capacity Independent phase operation Power measurements reported in real-time Zero crossing switching reduces switching disturbances
14 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System facilitates centralized control Control line capacitors as a system to achieve improved system efficiency
15 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System What is IDMS? Single platform for mission critical systems SCADA / Outage Management / Switching Advanced grid applications for distribution Why IDMS? Improved efficiency, grid performance and demand mgmt Improved visibility and operational awareness Converts Big Data from SCADA and AMI into operational actionable decisions
16 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System Smart Operations Leverage near real-time advanced applications Analytical support of traditional operational tasks Advanced tools and applications Perform traditional back office tasks Manage distribution system efficiency
17 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System Smart Operations Leverage near real-time advanced applications Analytical support of traditional operational tasks Advanced tools and applications Perform traditional back office tasks Manage distribution system efficiency
18 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System Two-thirds of grid losses occur in distribution Tools are available to manage loss minimization Peak conditions Valley conditions New Smart Grid system dynamics Seasonal and Daily basis Virtual power plant Demand response Distribution energy producers
Centralized Capacitor Control 19
20 Centralized Capacitor Control Integrated Distribution Management System Volt VAR Optimization CVR plan Another Distribution Optimal Power Flow objective Manipulate circuit voltage profiles with regulator taps and line capacitors to minimize demand Execute automatically without bothering operators
21 Centralized Capacitor Control Sub Feeder Regs Fixed Cap Line Monitor Auto Cap Auto Cap Auto Reg CVR 12.47 kv Primarily Rural Green Circuit
22 Centralized Capacitor Control Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) Two Alabama Power circuits in EPRI s Green Circuits collaborative project * 34.5 kv primarily urban residential circuit 12.47 kv primarily rural residential circuit Voltage Optimization Results Quantity 34.5 kv 12.47 kv Average voltage reduction (%) 3.62 2.81 Energy reduction (%) 2.71 2.47 CVR factor 0.75 0.88 * R. C. Belvin, J. Green, T. Reed, and T. Short, Voltage Optimization More Than Pays for Itself, Transmission & Distribution World, vol. 62, no. 8, pp. 50-53, August 2010.
23 Centralized Capacitor Control Benefits of centralized control Reduced system losses Improved system voltage profile Increased system capacity Extended system facility life Reduced O&M expenditures Optimized Capital expenditures
24 Conclusions Smart Distribution requires improved techniques and applications for Smart Operations IDMS is the facilitating application Engineering solutions are implemented to achieve improved system efficiency Centralized capacitor control is facilitated The efficiency is improved for energy delivery
25 2014 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition Chicago, IL April 15, 2014 Panel Session: Technologies for Advanced Volt/VAR Control Implementation Volt/VAR Control as Part of an Integrated Distribution Management System (Central Control) G. Larry Clark Alabama Power Company, A Southern Company glclark@southernco.com Tel 205.257.4230 Questions