Decentralized Operation and Control

Operational & Business Requirement Analysis for Optimum Control Architecture

Alex RojasDirector of Distributed Technologies

Aug - 2016

OVERVIEW

• Microgrid – A Utility’s Perspective

• Stakeholder Requirement Analysis for Optimum Architecture Design

• Stakeholder Business Requirements

• Sample Business Requirement: Energy Policy Targets

• Operational Requirements

• Sample Requirements: Frequency and Voltage Allowable Limits

• Control Technology to Address Requirements

• Sample Architecture

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MICROGRID – A FORM OF DER AGGREGATIONRepresentative distribution feeder at Medium Voltage: 12.5, 34.5, 69 kV

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A well accepted definition:

• A group of interconnected loads and distributed energy generation within clearly defined electrical boundaries

• Acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the utility’s electrical grid

• Has a specific set of stakeholder requirements to meet operational and business requirements

From a utility’s perspective:

• DERs become microgrids when aggregated at a particular location

• Well positioned to manage the decentralized operation of DERs

Switch

Solar PV

Energy Storage

Natural GasElectric Generator

M

Residential Loads

M = Meter at Feeder

BiomassWind

Commercial & Industrial Loads

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Stakeholder Requirement Analysis for Optimum Architecture Design

Key Stakeholders May Include:

• Consumer

• Site energy managers

• Technology vendors

• Project financiers

• Electricity and Natural gas supplier

• Public utility commission

• Owners/operators of neighboring facilities

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

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Market Segment Typical Consumer Requirements

University, Colleges, Research Facilities Green branding, educational tool

Military Installation Energy security, reliability, availability, energy policy targets

City, Community Emergency services (shelter), energy policy targets

Public Institution Energy policy targets, renewable integration

Commercial Renewable integration, green branding, energy policy targets

SampleEnergy PolicyTargets

SYSTEM STABILITY

Source: Bj.J. Kirby, J. Dyer, C. Marinez, Rahmat A. Shoureshi, R. Guttromson, J. Dagle ”Frequency Control Concerns in the North American Electric Power System” Oak Ridge Nat. Lab draft Report; December 2002

NARROW SYSTEM FREQUENCY EXCURSION LIMITS

Illustration Source: PCS Utilidata

NARROW SERVICE VOLTAGE ALLOWANCE

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Control Level

Temporal Requirement

Typical Functions ControlComponents

Tertiary Minutes • Forecasting• Advanced Optimization• Modeling

Software

Secondary Seconds • SCADA• Load Control • Generation Control

Hardware/Software

Primary Micro- to Milli- Seconds

• Switching Logic• Protection

• DER Inverter Controllers• Gas Engine Governor• Protection Relays

SMART COMPUTING SYSTEMS FOR INTEGRATING DER

ADVANCED MICROGRID CONTROL ARCHITECTURE

Illustration Source: Alex Rojas’ Public Presentation at the Microgrid Global Summit (March-2015)

BACK UP SLIDES

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Alex Rojas - Director of Distributed Technologies, Ameren

For over 20 years, Mr. Rojas has developed and later transferred technology to electrical utilities and large industries in the United States. Within the capital expenditure and regulatory constraints of his customers, he has lead and contributed in the fields of Smart Grid monitoring and control systems, renewable integration, energy storage integration, and predictive maintenance technologies. In his new role within the Corporate Planning function, Alex is developing the organizational vision for technologies, systems, and capabilities that are necessary to guarantee a successful and sustainable business.  He has held leadership roles in challenging engineering positions at global technology groups, including Siemens, General Electric, and ABB. Mr. Rojas holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from Ohio State University and Michigan State University and an MBA degree from Southern Methodist University.

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Definition Process May Include:

UTILITY DOMAIN

DER INTEGRATION

Sample considerations:

Financial – Predefined threshold for return on investment

Technical – Temporal performance requirements for energy management operations (e.g. switching, load dispatch, generation dispatch, etc)

Regulatory – Already stablished $/ kWhr rates; franchise rights

DER INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES

• Advanced Energy Controllers: Smart computing systems for integrating DERs. At all three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

• High-Speed Communication Networks: Monitoring and Control signal transmission for fast reaction to change of resource state

• Switching and Protection Equipment: Circuit breakers, protection relays, static switches, and similar. For example, to transition safely from grid connected to islanded mode

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DER INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES - cont.

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• Advanced Power Electronics: Smart inverters and other power electronic DER interfaces

• Distributed Energy Resource Analytics: Software for electricity and heat demand and supply forecasting; load and power flow analysis

• Building Energy Management Systems: Controllers of building energy systems (AC, Heating, energy efficiency, etc)