The objective of this project is to "conduct a pilot scale “proof-of-concept” test in San Diego, CA of how information-based technologies and DER may increase utility asset utilization and reliability" [1]. Goals of this project include [1]:
(a) Achieve > 15% reduction in feeder peak load through the integration of multiple, integrated DER–generation (DG), energy storage and price-driven load management
(b) Demonstrate capability of Volt-Amps-Reactive (VAr) management -
(c) Develop a strategy and demonstration of:
• Information integration focused on security and system architecture.
• Integration of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)
• ‘Self-healing’ networks through the integration of Feeder Automation System Technologies (FAST)
• Integration of Outage/Distribution Management Systems (OMS/DMS)
• Automated distribution control to intentionally “Island” customers
The SDG&E microgrid project integrates a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) component, which focuses on utility-side applications, and a California Energy Commission (CEC) portion, which focuses on customer-side applications [2]. DOE contributed $7.2M towards (CEC contributed $2.8M towards) the total project cost over 3 years. For the DOE portion, the project involves integration of 5 technologies: distributed energy resources (DER) and VAr, feeder automation system technologies (FAST), advanced energy storage (AES), OMS/DMS system, and price driven load mgmt (PDLM). For the CEC portion, the project involves integration of the following customer based technologies: remote controlled demand response devices (e.g. thermostats), solar panels, battery storage, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV’s), and grid-friendly appliances. The project team also performed a cost/benefit analysis for full-scale deployment.
The project starts Jan 2009, expected completion March 2012 [1].
Roles and responsibilities of each partner are [1]:
IBM - Provide Project Management Support; Development of project standards; Status reporting; Cross-project dependency management; Vendor Management
Horizon Energy Group (HEG)–Solution Architect - Functional Architecture/Business Process; Technical Architecture/Engineering Support; System Integration/Interfaces; Operational Testing
Motorola - Network Communications; Security
Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL) - DER Design
Oracle - OSM/DMS Functions
Advanced Energy Storage (AES) Vendor - Utility Storage
University of San Diego - Regulatory Design
Lockheed Martin - SOA; DOE Systems Arch
GridPoint - Demand Response; HAN
Xanthus - CEC System Integration
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