Smart Grid Projects NSTAR

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Smart Grid Projects NSTAR

• Larry Gelbien
• New England Restructuring RoundTable
• December 4, 2009

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AGENDA

• Overview of Three Smart Grid Projects
• Grid Self-Healing Project
• Urban Grid Monitoring and Renewables Integration
  Project
• AMR Based Dynamic Pricing Project
• Questions

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Grid Self-Healing ProjectDOE ARRA Deployment
Project

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Automated Sectionalizing Unit Program
Cumulative Number of Averted Sustained Customer
Outages Due to ASU Operations Through 10/31/09
Slide Updated November 9, 2009
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Top Decile
Restoration
Reliability
Avg. months between interruptions
Avg. time to restore service
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Smart Grid Distribution Automation

• Over 1,300 SCADA Switches with over 7,500 smart
  sensors installed through the service
• 40 to 60 new devices with 120 additional smart
  sensors annually

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Smart Switch Equipment
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Self-Healing Distribution Grid
With State-of-the-Art Technology

• Electric delivery network using modern sensing,
  communications, and information processing based
  on digital technologies
• Microprocessor-based measurement and control
  using remote sensors
• Current, voltage, KVA, temperature
• Circuit self-healing implementation
  (Auto-Restoration) 900 circuits
• Supervisory controlled overhead and underground
  switches with voltage and current sensors 220
  switches
• Interoperability standards using PI interface
• SCADA interface to recloser control cabinet 20
  reclosers

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Three Operational Modes

• Mode 1 Supervisory mode
• Leverages remote control of switches
• Operator controlled sequences
• Mode 2 Operational Acknowledgement mode
• Computer-simulated restoration sequences
• Operator validation and execution
• Mode 3 Self-Healing mode
• Computer-determined restoration sequences
• No human intervention

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NSTAR Grid Improvement Example of how ASUs work
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Self-Healing Auto-Restoration
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GWAC Interoperability Checklist for Project
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DOE Funding Approved

• 20 million deployment project with 50 DOE
  funded
• NSTAR to fund 50 as capital project
• DOE grant agreement to be executed

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Urban Grid Monitoring and Renewables
IntegrationEnablers to Test Distributed
Resource Integration
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Project Objectives

• Improve visibility into secondary area network
  grid
• Deploy sensors on the underground secondary
  network methodology
• Refine methods suitable to scale broadly across
  urban areas nationwide
• Develop model to safely examine small
  inverter-based distributed resource integration
• Solar PV integration from downtown customers
• Potential for integration anywhere on the test
  grid
• Pave the way for other, inverter-based DER in the
  future
• Received DOE Smart Grid demonstration grant,
  pending DPU approval

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Demonstration Grid Location (Shown in Red)
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Functionality Deployed in Layered Approach
Layers provide the data collection, monitoring,
and analysis required for safely testing
distributed resource integration
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Metering and Analysis

• Distributed resource interconnection on secondary
  networks
• IEEE 1547 examined
• Approach submitted for comment at August 2009
  IEEE meeting
• Additional metering capability
• kWh smart metering on customers with PV
  integration
• Enhanced feeder data metering including V A
  phase info
• Customer PV interconnection
• Power flow monitored
• Remotely controlled to disconnect on unsafe
  condition
• Engineering analysis
• All sensor data to be collected at Collection
  Server
• Information forwarded to SCADA system and plant
  information system for Engineering, Operations,
  and Planning access

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Project Topology View
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Key Questions to be Answered

• What significant deployment and installation
  challenges were encountered?
• What is the percent of load from participating
  customers?
• From PV vs. other sources
• How effective was the mixed data collection
  methodology?
• What is the frequency of disconnect due to grid
  stability concerns?
• Will a higher percent of minor-node be effective
  in the future?
• How durable is the sensing equipment, especially
  minor-nodes?

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AMRBased Dynamic Pricing Project

• Pilot requirements
• Cover at least 2,750 customers (0.25 of
  subscribers)
• Integrated two-way communications
• Smart meters
• Real-time measurements and communications
• Embedded automated load management
• Remote monitoring and operation of distribution
  system
• Time-of-use or hourly pricing
• Rate treatment of incremental program costs
• Minimum 5 load reduction (peak and average)
• Received DOE Smart Grid demonstration grant,
  pending DPU approval

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Consumer Behavior Provide Accurate Information
to Make Informed Decisions

• Load Control
• Pricing Options
• Energy Efficiency (CFL, Load Control, Solar, DG,
  PHEV)

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Near Real-Time Information for Customers and
Utilities

• Communication Options
• Least Cost Options
• Minimize Stranded Costs

Mesh
AMR/AMI over Customers Broadband Service
Broadband over Power Line
Cellular
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QUESTIONS?