T&D Research Stem South Lake Tahoe, CA August 5, 2008

1. T&D Research StemSouth Lake Tahoe, CAAugust 5, 2008 PSERC Potential new project areas

2. The program

3. Level of interest MEDIUM HIGH LOW

4. Level of interest MEDIUM HIGH LOW

5. Level of interest MEDIUM HIGH LOW

6. New topical areas Impact of climatological and ambient temperature changes (suggested by Heydt): fast increase in load growth, impact of plug-in hybrid vehicles, increase in extreme weather (e.g., violent weather), increase in aging due to higher ambient temperature, reassessment of transformer thermal models to accommodate higher ambient temperatures. More detail attached. Microgrid structure and direct DC delivery (suggested by Karady): microgrids with distributed resources, DC-DEC conversion and the use of DC distribution systems in the medium voltage class (e.g., up to about 15 kV), service of DC directly to loads. Plug-in hybrid vehicles vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services (suggested by Kezunović): beyond ancillary services such as regulation and “spinning” reserve to the services including avoidance of load shedding during emergencies and demand side management.

7. New topical areas Tie to the smart (transmission) grid project for distribution (suggested by Saint) Smart distribution systems (suggested by Suryanarayanan): networked distribution systems, agent control, maximize SAIDI and SAIFI, automated restoration Use of transmission technologies in distribution engineering and vice-versa (suggested by Giri): bring analysis, control, software technologies from transmission engineering to distribution engineering and vice-versa. An issue to look at is the "Electrification of Transportation" meaning transit systems and cars. Many PHEV drivers may want the ability to charge their vehicles at work (at some higher kWh rate, no doubt) or at the transit system park-and-ride lot.  What would be the effect of possible mid-day PHEV charging on the energy supply?  What should the cost of buying electrical energy from the grid be?  At what price would the PHEV agree to sell back to the grid?  Are there other synergies between transit and cars? (suggested by Bob Wilson) The compounded impact of increases in ambient temp and operating temp (due to high proliferation of PE interfaced PVs, CFLs, and general load growth). That way the overall temp rise of distribution assets could be > 50 and will be significantly impacted due as per Dakin’s rule (suggested by Suryanarayanan).

8. New topical areas Feasibility Study for Application of Power Electronics for Voltage Transformation. Study the feasibility of applying a power electronics device as a substitute for the traditional transformer. What it means to AEP:  Improved versatility over traditional transformers. Potential Benefits to power industry. Improved versatility over traditional transformers. (Bhatt and Spurlock, AEP) SCADA by satellite (suggested by Selman): delay times, protocols, recent NRECA project, distribution system SCADA, use of satellite communications for controls, protocol compatibilities and conversions. Future communications techniques (suggested by Jewell): SCADA over IP, intRAnet, evaluation of new requirements, broadband connections, recent TAMU NSF project on broadband communications by power lines, infrastructure problems (FCC).

9. Continuation topical area Satellite images for tree trimming (suggested by Karady): extension and implementation (commercialization) of the use of satellite images to identify tree trimming priorities.

10. Impact of climate change on distribution engineering • Changes in ambient temperatures • Changes in number and intensity of thunderstorms and consequent lightning • Changing climatological environments with regard to wind storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms • Urbanization • Impact on load growth

11. Impact on distribution transformers Ambient temperature changes • Changes in mean, extremes, overnight lows, variance • Load profile will be affected by customers seeking comfort • Increase in operating temperature- due to projected high penetration of power electronics loads (CFLs, low pf loads) - is impending • Increase in temperature will affect equipment aging

12. Impact on lightning protection Effect of changes in lightning occurrence • Relationship between climate change and lightning pattern change is known • Changes in patterns of lightning storms can affect distribution class lightning protection systems • Standard designs for lightning protection will be impacted • Obsolete lightning protection designs can affect SAIDI and SAIFI

13. Impact on distribution system design • Wind storms of 2005 in the US show the deadly impact of such anomalous events • Number and frequency of wind storms such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and consequences of the passage of low pressure systems affect contemporary distribution system practices • A major consideration in choosing between overhead and underground designs • Impact on SAIDI and SAIFI

14. Auxiliary distribution assets • Auxiliaries include: fuses, capacitors, switches, splices, and wooden poles • Can have an important role in maintaining reliability of distribution system Also: Impact on load growth What needs to be done • A systematic statistical analysis of climatological data and standard distribution system practices • A reassessment of factors used in distribution engineering that come into play if climate change occurs • Historical data assessment, extraction of patterns and confidence from climatological projections, impact studies, model upgrades, assessment of distribution system requirements

15. Communication Requirements and Integration Options for Smart Grid Deployment Ward Jewell Mladen Kezunovic Wichita State Texas A&M PSerc Research Workshop August 4-7, 2008

16. DOE’s seven smart grid characteristics: Enabling active participation by consumers Accommodating all generation and storage options Enabling new products, services, and markets Providing the power quality for the range of needs in a digital economy Optimizing asset utilization and operating efficiently Anticipating and responding to system disturbances in a self-healing manner Operating resiliently against physical and cyber attack and natural disasters

17. Communications Infrastructure • Conventional • telephone, radio, power line carrier • Existing • wired and wireless internet • fiber optic • satellite • Emerging and future

18. Research • Inventory smart grid applications • Assessment of communication needs • Existing and emerging communications infrastructure available to the smart grid. • End-customer • T&D • Market communications (demand side management, IPP, wholesale generators, distributed generation) • Integration and cyber security • Recommendations for staged deployment/integration path