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5 Models for Distribution System Planning
Pages 41-49

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From page 41...
... ; Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric; and John Lee, Xcel Energy. Tierney opened the session by pointing out that distribution planning is on the cutting edge, where many of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the electric power system lie, such as bidirectional power flow, innovative devices, and new customer behaviors.
From page 42...
... They also allow insights into low-inertia systems, which can affect system balance, and electromechanical dynamic models for individual generators, entire systems, and their interactions. These electromechanical dynamic models are particularly useful for isolated power systems, where individual behavior can cause unwanted consequences, Fuller noted.
From page 43...
... Closing, he stressed the importance of enhancing multidomain modeling that incorporates distribution planning with communications, markets, and transportation sectors, as well as replacing deterministic solutions with probabilistic or risk-based modeling. ROGER DUGAN, ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE Dugan, senior technical executive at EPRI, co-developed OpenDSS, EPRI's main distribution system analysis research tool.
From page 44...
... , designed to bring clean, sustainable power to approximately 1,000 businesses and residences in one Chicago neighborhood, is one example. To provide the new modeling capabilities required to design the BCM, ComEd integrated hardware, system models, microgrid controllers, and overall operations controls, enabling interoperability testing and demonstrating how cutting-edge modeling and technologies are changing utility operations.
From page 45...
... That policy is driving Hawaiian Electric's plan to determine customer and infrastructure needs; outline large, innovative strategies for grid integration; and implement systemwide modernization procedures, Ching said. The three distribution planning tools that Hawaiian Electric uses today are (1)
From page 46...
... Echoing the suggestions of other speakers, he stressed that risk and probabilistic analyses should replace deterministic analysis and noted the importance of creating tools that allow nontechnical audiences to understand model outputs and how they influence decision making. JOHN LEE, XCEL ENERGY Lee is senior director of electric distribution engineering at Xcel Energy, which serves a diverse area from Michigan to New Mexico.
From page 47...
... DISCUSSION After the speakers' remarks, Tierney moderated a discussion that focused on how new distribution planning and analysis tools are adopted in the industry; the interplay of policy, planning, and uncertainty; and training for the next generation of workers. Adopting New Distribution Tools Tierney asked if distribution companies and utilities were ready to move beyond deterministic modeling to use different kinds of advanced modeling tools.
From page 48...
... Asked if planning was robust to policy uncertainty, Lee replied that Xcel's integrated distribution planning includes varying policy scenario analyses. Those results helped inform the decision to move forward with load-zero implementation, although he noted that it was a struggle to incorporate so many different potential scenarios.
From page 49...
... Ching suggested that universities should update and reposition power utility programs in order to attract engineering students, who might otherwise not consider utility work. Hawaiian Electric, he noted, uses internships and student programs as a way to recruit talented students.


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