Impact of dispersed solar and wind systems on electric distribution planning and operation
Small-scale dispersed solar photovoltaic and wind generation (DSW) will affect the generation, transmission, and distribution systems of an electric utility. This study examines the technical and economic impacts of dispersing DSW devices within the distribution system. Dispersed intermittent generation is included. Effects of DSW devices on capital investments, reliability, operating and maintenance costs, protection requirements, and communication and control requirements are examined. A DSW operation model is developed to help determine the dependable capacity of fluctuating solar photovoltaic and wind generation as part of the distribution planning process. Specific case studies using distribution system data and renewable resource data for Southern California Edison Company and Consumers Power Company are analyzed to gain insights into the effects of interconnecting DSW devices. The DSW devices were found to offer some distribution investment savings, depending on their availability during peak loads. For a summer-peaking utility, for example, dispersing photovoltaic systems is more likely to defer distribution capital investments than dispersing wind systems. Dispersing storage devices to increase DSW's dependable capacity for distribution systems needs is not economically attractive. Substation placement of DSW and storage devices is found to be more cost effective than feeder or customer placement. Examination of the effects of DSW on distribution system operation showed that small customer-owned DSW devices are not likely to disrupt present time-current distribution protection coordination. Present maintenance work procedures, are adequate to ensure workmen's safety. Regulating voltages within appropriate limits will become more complex with intermittent generation along the distribution feeders.
- Research Organization:
- Systems Control, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 6705338
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/Sub-7662/1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
17 WIND ENERGY
14 SOLAR ENERGY
DISPERSED STORAGE AND GENERATION
OPERATION
PLANNING
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WIND POWER PLANTS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
POWER PLANTS
POWER SYSTEMS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
296002* - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power Transmission & Distribution- (-1989)
200300 - Electric Power Engineering- Power Transmission & Distribution- (-1989)
170000 - Wind Energy
140600 - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems