1. T&D Research Stem South Lake Tahoe, CA August 5, 2008
                     
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T&D Research Stem South Lake Tahoe, CA August 5, 2008
PSERC
Potential new project areas

2. The program
1 hour
Discuss list of topics above and solicit new topical areas from the attendees
2 hour break out
Break into three or more groups:
Transmission
Distribution
Information communications
(Other groups may be added to this list). Groups go off on their own to discuss research priorities in their assigned area. The group elects a spokesperson.
Reports back from the break out groups

3. Level of interest
MEDIUM
LOW
HIGH

4. Level of interest
MEDIUM
LOW
HIGH

5. Level of interest
MEDIUM
LOW
HIGH

6. New topical areas
Impact of climatological and ambient temperature changes (suggested by Heydt): fast increase in load growth, impact of plug-in hybrid vehicles, increase in extreme weather (e.g., violent weather), increase in aging due to higher ambient temperature, reassessment of transformer thermal models to accommodate higher ambient temperatures. More detail attached.
Microgrid structure and direct DC delivery (suggested by Karady): microgrids with distributed resources, DC-DEC conversion and the use of DC distribution systems in the medium voltage class (e.g., up to about 15 kV), service of DC directly to loads.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services (suggested by Kezunović): beyond ancillary services such as regulation and “spinning” reserve to the services including avoidance of load shedding during emergencies and demand side management.

7. New topical areas
Tie to the smart (transmission) grid project for distribution (suggested by Saint)
Smart distribution systems (suggested by Suryanarayanan): networked distribution systems, agent control, maximize SAIDI and SAIFI, automated restoration
Use of transmission technologies in distribution engineering and vice-versa (suggested by Giri): bring analysis, control, software technologies from transmission engineering to distribution engineering and vice-versa.
An issue to look at is the "Electrification of Transportation" meaning transit systems and cars. Many PHEV drivers may want the ability to charge their vehicles at work (at some higher kWh rate, no doubt) or at the transit system park-and-ride lot.  What would be the effect of possible mid-day PHEV charging on the energy supply?  What should the cost of buying electrical energy from the grid be?  At what price would the PHEV agree to sell back to the grid?  Are there other synergies between transit and cars? (suggested by Bob Wilson)
The compounded impact of increases in ambient temp and operating temp (due to high proliferation of PE interfaced PVs, CFLs, and general load growth). That way the overall temp rise of distribution assets could be > 50 and will be significantly impacted due as per Dakin’s rule (suggested by Suryanarayanan).

8. New topical areas
Feasibility Study for Application of Power Electronics for Voltage Transformation. Study the feasibility of applying a power electronics device as a substitute for the traditional transformer. What it means to AEP:  Improved versatility over traditional transformers. Potential Benefits to power industry. Improved versatility over traditional transformers. (Bhatt and Spurlock, AEP)
SCADA by satellite (suggested by Selman): delay times, protocols, recent NRECA project, distribution system SCADA, use of satellite communications for controls, protocol compatibilities and conversions.
Future communications techniques (suggested by Jewell): SCADA over IP, intRAnet, evaluation of new requirements, broadband connections, recent TAMU NSF project on broadband communications by power lines, infrastructure problems (FCC).

9. Continuation topical area
Satellite images for tree trimming (suggested by Karady): extension and implementation (commercialization) of the use of satellite images to identify tree trimming priorities.

10. Impact of climate change on distribution engineering
Changes in ambient temperatures
Changes in number and intensity of thunderstorms and consequent lightning
Changing climatological environments with regard to wind storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms
Urbanization
Impact on load growth

11. Impact on distribution transformers
Ambient temperature changes
Changes in mean, extremes, overnight lows, variance
Load profile will be affected by customers seeking comfort
Increase in operating temperature- due to projected high penetration of power electronics loads (CFLs, low pf loads) - is impending
Increase in temperature will affect equipment aging

12. Impact on lightning protection
Effect of changes in lightning occurrence
Relationship between climate change and lightning pattern change is known
Changes in patterns of lightning storms can affect distribution class lightning protection systems
Standard designs for lightning protection will be impacted
Obsolete lightning protection designs can affect SAIDI and SAIFI

13. Impact on distribution system design
Wind storms of 2005 in the US show the deadly impact of such anomalous events
Number and frequency of wind storms such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and consequences of the passage of low pressure systems affect contemporary distribution system practices
A major consideration in choosing between overhead and underground designs
Impact on SAIDI and SAIFI

14. Auxiliary distribution assets
Auxiliaries include: fuses, capacitors, switches, splices, and wooden poles
Can have an important role in maintaining reliability of distribution system
Also: Impact on load growth
What needs to be done
A systematic statistical analysis of climatological data and standard distribution system practices
A reassessment of factors used in distribution engineering that come into play if climate change occurs
Historical data assessment, extraction of patterns and confidence from climatological projections, impact studies, model upgrades, assessment of distribution system requirements

15. Ward Jewell Mladen Kezunovic
Communication Requirements and Integration Options for Smart Grid Deployment
Ward Jewell Mladen Kezunovic
Wichita State Texas A&M
PSerc Research Workshop
August 4-7, 2008

16. DOE’s seven smart grid characteristics:
Enabling active participation by consumers
Accommodating all generation and storage options
Enabling new products, services, and markets
Providing the power quality for the range of needs in a digital economy
Optimizing asset utilization and operating efficiently
Anticipating and responding to system disturbances in a self-healing manner
Operating resiliently against physical and cyber attack and natural disasters
Represents an order of magnitude increase in communications needs; scada and others are already challenged by today’s data sources.

17. Communications Infrastructure
Conventional
telephone, radio, power line carrier
Existing
wired and wireless internet
fiber optic
satellite
Emerging and future

18. Research Inventory smart grid applications
Assessment of communication needs
Existing and emerging communications infrastructure available to the smart grid.
End-customer
T&D
Market communications (demand side management, IPP, wholesale generators, distributed generation)
Integration and cyber security
Recommendations for staged deployment/integration path