1. Considerations for a Modern Distribution Grid
A Collaboration with State Commissions & Industry to Define Grid Modernization in the Context of States’ Policies
Pacific Coast Inter-Staff Collaboration Summit May 24, 2017

2. Project Overview Challenge: Origin: Objectives:
What is the appropriate investment strategy for enabling DER integration and utilization?
Encompasses technological, business and policy considerations
Implications for planning, operations and markets
Origin:
Initiated by CA and NY regulatory commissions to address consistency (+ DC, MN and HI) to examine a next generation distribution system platform (DSPx)
Objectives:
Phase 1 – draft materials complete May 2017
Develop a consistent taxonomy of DSPx capabilities & functions to satisfy states’ policy objectives
Determine technology maturity and remaining gaps needed to enable distribution system functions (next 5 years)
Provide considerations for the effective deployment of grid capabilities over time to meet evolving customer needs and states’ policy objectives
Phase 2 – 2017 and beyond
Collaborate with regulators, utility industry, and national laboratories to address technological gaps and refine approaches for the prudent deployment of grid capabilities

3. Phase I Deliverables Defines DSPx functional scope Volume I
Customer and State Policy Driven Functionality
(V.1 Final)
Defines DSPx functional scope
Taxonomic organization of DSPx capabilities, functions and elements mapped to state grid modernization objectives within a planning/operations/market framework
Grid architecture context
Comparative assessment of industry architectural applications
Volume II
Advanced Technology Maturity Assessment
DSPx technology maturity in relation to Vol I functions and elements
Assesses availability and gaps in commercial technology needed for DSPx functions and elements; applies technology adoption curves
Volume III
Decision Guide
(under development)
Guide for modern grid implementation
Provides considerations for implementing the functionality for an advanced distribution grid, including core platform components
Examines coordination and communication network considerations, voltage management with smart inverters, and DER aggregation and optimization

4. Reliability, Safety & Operational Efficiency
Modern Grid Evolution
Needs & objectives drive grid capabilities and corresponding enabling business functionality and technology
Grid Capabilities
Reliability, Safety & Operational Efficiency
DER Integration
DER Utilization
Functions
Market Operations
Grid Operations
Planning
New
Existing

5. State Objectives are Fairly Consistent
Leading to grid properties enabling DER utilization – though timing, scale and scope are different

6. Distribution Platform Capabilities
From DSPx Volume 1 – Customer and State Policy Driven Functionality, version 1.1, March 23, 2017

7. Integrated Planning Considerations
Integrated planning and analysis needed within and across the transmission, distribution and customer/3rd party domains
From “Integrated Distribution Planning”, August 2016, prepared for the MN PUC, ICF International

8. Getting structure right simplifies the downstream decisions
Grid Architecture
Getting structure right simplifies the downstream decisions
Grid Architecture treats the grid as a network of structures
Grid structure is changing
Some legacy structures need to be changed to relieve constraints

9. Coordination Considerations
Laminar coordination framework enables scaling and optimization at both local and system levels
From JD Taft, Architectural Basis for Highly Distributed Power Grids: Frameworks, Networks, and Grid Codes, PNNL-25480, June 2016

10. Modern Distribution Grid
Platform Considerations
Core components are foundational; applications layer on this foundation as additional functionality is needed
Modern Distribution Grid
Advanced Technology
Maturity Assessment
From DSPx, Volume 3 – Decision Guide, under review

11. Timing & Pace Considerations
US distribution system is currently in Stage 1 and the issue is whether and how fast to transition into Stage 2. Pace & scope of investments are driven by customer needs & policy objectives. Proportional deployment to align with customer value
Customer Value
Time

12. Summary Identify Customer Needs & Societal Objectives
Identify Capabilities & Functionality Needed
Develop a Grid Architecture
Develop Related Designs
Select Appropriate Grid Technologies
Develop a Deployment Roadmap aligned to Pace & Scope of Needs
Implement Proportionally to Customer Value

13. https://emp.lbl.gov/projects/feur
Thank You
Joe Paladino,
Paul De Martini
Jeffrey Taft
Laura Wang
Contacts:
References:
http//gridarchitecture.pnnl.gov