Technical Working Group Meeting Process Slides

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Technical Working Group Meeting - Process Slides

• November 17, 2004

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The DTE Order 02-38B provides direction to the
Massachusetts DG Collaborative on network
interconnection.

• The Collaborative noted that interconnecting DG
  to secondary networks poses certain additional
  challenges therefore, it agreed to
• (1) allow certain small inverter-based facilities
  on spot networks to use the Simplified process
• (2) set a goal to seek expeditious and
  cost-effective approaches for interconnecting on
  spot and area networks
• (3) form a technical group under the umbrella of
  the ongoing Collaborative to study network
  interconnection experience and procedures and
• (4) provide regulators, customers, DG providers,
  utilities, and others with a clear explanation of
  the opportunities, challenges, and potential
  solutions posed by interconnecting to networks
  (as described in this Section). (Order p.7)

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We have identified a process that will move us
from understanding the technical challenges to
modifying the tariff.
Identify and understand technical challenges
Identify and understand solutions
Examine solutions
Validate Solutions
Translate Solution to Tariff
Yes or Yes with exceptions
Yes

• Will the solution maintain reliability and
  safety?
• Will the solution be expeditious and cost
  effective?
• Will the solution be broadly applicable?

• Does the solution satisfy technical review by
  experts in working group?
• Are the current examples of this solution
  operating?
• Is there a pilot program that could determine the
  effectiveness of the solution?
• Does the solution comply with applicable codes or
  must it be submitted to standard bodies for
  review?

No
No
The results of this process will be captured in
Chapter 2 of the Annual Report.
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Are there additional challenges, which these case
studies addressed, that we should include?
Technical Challenges Identified in Chapter 2

• Prevention of inadvertent operation of network
  protectors under non-fault (normal) conditions
• Prevention of inadvertent operation of network
  protectors under fault conditions
• Network protectors and other equipment were not
  designed or rated to withstand unique challenges
  imposed by the addition of generators
• Mitigating factors depend on generator type and
  size, and the network the generation is
  interconnecting into

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Are there additional solutions, which these case
studies addressed, that we should include?
Potential Solutions Identified in Chapter 2

• Simplified interconnection process (Current
  tariff)
• inverters that pass UL 1741
• aggregate generating facility capacity less than
  1/15 of customers minimum load
• Modify/Upgrade Network and Generator Protection
  Control Systems
• Time coordinate the network protector using
  microprocessor type relays to ensure protectors
  will not operate due to power flow contributions
  from the Generator that is, install time delays
  on the protector that will cause Generator relays
  to operate prior to the protector for low level
  faults or power flows.
• Network Upgrades and/or Expansion
• Upgrade key network system components, such as
  protectors or relays, with modern devices
  designed to withstand the currents and voltages
  that may be produced by Generators.
• Reverse Power Flow Mitigation
• scheme using a breaker to isolate load from the
  network service

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We have identified a process that will move us
from understanding the technical challenges to
modifying the tariff.
Identify and understand technical challenges
Identify and understand solutions
Examine solutions
Validate Solutions
Translate Solution to Tariff
Yes or Yes with exceptions
Yes

• Will the solution maintain reliability and
  safety?
• Will the solution be expeditious and cost
  effective?
• Will the solution be broadly applicable?

• Does the solution satisfy technical review by
  experts in working group?
• Are the current examples of this solution
  operating?
• Is there a pilot program that could determine the
  effectiveness of the solution?
• Does the solution comply with applicable codes or
  must it be submitted to standard bodies for
  review?

No
No
The results of this process will be captured in
Chapter 2 of the Annual Report.
7
What are the appropriate mechanisms for these
solutions?

• Tariff
• Education
• Pilot programs
• Dissemination of case studies
• Technical guidelines
• Standards
• Others?

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Criteria for examining solutions
Current Criteria

• Does the solution satisfy technical review by
  experts in working group?
• Are the current examples of this solution
  operating?
• Is there a pilot program that could determine the
  effectiveness of the solution?
• Does the solution comply with applicable codes or
  must it be submitted to standard bodies for
  review ?

Additional Criteria

• What metrics were used to settle on the design
  that was implemented in the case studies?
• Are these solutions applicable to other projects?
• Other?

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The Technical Working Group will meet seven times
and complete its work in March, primarily
focusing on network interconnections.
Aug 11
Oct 20
Nov 17

• Working Group Work Plan, including objectives,
  key deliverables and schedule
• Review current tariff and previous Collaborative
  report
• Review types of network interconnection (e.g.,
  spot vs. grid, synchronous vs. inverter)
• Identify technical issues by interconnection type
• Prioritize groups work by interconnection type

• Technical discussions, may include updates on
  case studies presentation of case studies
  presentation of solutions
• Discuss applicability to Massachusetts

• Technical discussions updates on case studies
  presentation of case studies presentation of
  solutions
• Discuss applicability to Massachusetts

• Offline work
• Aug 11 Oct 20
• Develop presentations on solutions by
  interconnection type

• Offline work
• Oct 20 Nov 17
• Refine solutions

• Offline work
• Nov 17 Dec 15
• Call for proposed changes to tariff
• NCI organize proposed changes

Dec 15
Feb 15
Mar 16
Jan 19

• Discuss proposed changes to the tariff

• Review and edit Draft 2005 Annual Report on
  Network Interconnections (Chapter 2)

• Final edit of Annual Report Chapter 2

• Discuss NCI strawman of proposed changes

• Offline work
• Dec 15 Jan 19
• NCI develop strawman proposal changes to tariff

• Offline work
• Draft Annual Report Chapter 2

• Offline work
• Edit Annual Report