POWER-GRID.

COM : SEPTEMBER 2017

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Teamwork Helps Utilities Excel at Customer Service

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21 An Affinity for Proper Connections
26 Energy Storages Sweet Spot

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14
Teamwork Matters
In a mission to provide better customer service
in the Fresno, California, service district, Pacific
Gas & Electric (PG&E), ACRT Inc. and Trees
Inc. created a plan that has helped enhance
overall service to its customer base.
By Pat Paternostro, ARCT; Joe Stewart,
PG&E; Tony Carlos, Trees Inc.
From the Editor 4
Notes 5
Products 34
Calendar/Ad Index 35
Parting Thoughts 36
PowerGrid International (ISSN 1547-6723).
PowerGrid International is published 12x times
per year, monthly by PennWell Corporation,
1421 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74112. Periodi-
cals postage paid at Tulsa, OK 74112 and at
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PRICES: $100 per year (U.S.), $110 (Canada/
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each in the U.S. and $24 elsewhere. Copies
2 | September 2017
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1709pg_2 2
of back issues are also available on microfilm
and microfiche from University Microfilm, a
Xerox Co., 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
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SEPTEMBER 2017 VOLUME 22.09
10 Wheel Power
What does victory look like for electric utility fleet managers? Being
obsessed with safety, fuel options, environmental concerns and
mechanical issues are only a few of the challenges to winning.
By Rod Walton, Senior Editor
18 The Next Nest
When Nest first launched in 2010, the idea that a customermuch
less droves of themwould pay $250 for a thermostat was a foreign
concept at best. Now connected technologies are the future.
By Mike Kaplan, Ecova
21 An Affinity for Proper Connections
Accurate transformer and phase connectivity can ensure efficiency.
By Robert Sonderegger, Itron
24 Recognizing a Tiger
Cats and tigers are different, no doubt, but you must understand and
process to compare and contrast. The same is true of machine learning.
By CJ Parisi and Siri Varada, ABB Enterprise Software
26 Energy Storages Sweet Spot
A MW-scale energy storage system (ESS) can be vital to address
unpredictability in renewable generation. The challenge, however, is
sizing the ESS for maximum operational and financial benefit.
By Michael Lippert, Saft
30 Taking Charge: Start Now
Black start milestone in California shows potential of energy storage to
keep the grid humming without fail.
By Rod Walton, Senior Editor
31 Microgrids
Some consider them a threat to revenues, but are microgrids a mega-
opportunity for electric utilities?
By Tom Rooney and Bill Moran, TRC Companies
International is a registered trademark. er list available to carefully screened compa-
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 NEW RELEASE OF

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 FROM THE EDITOR EDITOR IN CHIEF
TERESA HANSEN

Whats Old Is New Again SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICAN

POWER GENERATION GROUP
Ive mentioned before that in addition to being editor in chief to POWERGRID Richard Baker
International, I also hold that title on Electric Light & Power, an industry pub-
EDITOR IN CHIEF
lication that has been around for more than 95 years. We have a library here Teresa Hansen
in the corporate office that includes every print issue of Electric Light & Power 918.831.9504 teresah@pennwell.com

going back to the first issue of 1922. From time to time, someone will request SENIOR EDITOR
Rod Walton
a copy of an article or advertisement from one of those old issues. Im always 918.831.9177 rwalton@pennwell.com
interested and entertained when I look through them.
ONLINE/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I recently looked through some of the issues that were published in 1946 Jeff Postelwait
918.831.9114 jeffp@pennwell.com
through 1948. This was a time when much of the U.S., especially in rural
areas, was being electrified and many new appliances and machines were being CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
TransmissionHub Senior Analyst Corina Rivera-Linares
introduced that made life easier for those who were fortunate enough to have
electricity in their homes. DESIGNER II
Heather Skeith
Much of the content in these issues focused on modern technologies and 918.831.9176 heathers@pennwell.com

equipment that made infrastructure installation easier and safer, improved SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-AUDIENCE
DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING
power plant construction and performance, made the electric gird safer and June Griffin
more reliable and improved the working conditions of employees in the field.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
A portion of it, however, touted the benefits of modern technologies and equip- Linda Thomas
918.832.9254 lindat@pennwell.com
ment fueled by electricity.
Many feature articles and advertisements introduced new electric irons, refrig- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
Sara Jones
erators, washing machines and other appliances and machines that made life 918.831.9738 sjones@pennwell.com
easier for housewives and home owners. In 1946, one issue of the magazine
focused almost solely on streetlights and the role they would play in cities of the
future. Even earlier, in the 1920s, utilities sold electric lighting, not electricity,
PENNWELL CORPORATION
and as late as in the 1950s and 1960s, utilities set up showrooms to feature new 1421 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK 74112
PO Box 1260, Tulsa OK 74101
all-electric kitchen appliances. Phone 918.835.3161 Fax 918.831.9834
pgi@pennwell.com
Such appliances and equipment are commonplace now and its hard for www.pennwell.com
most of us to imagine a world without them. In the early to mid-20th century,
PENNWELL CORP. IN EUROPE
however, they were new, unimagined technologies and electricity providers PennWell International Limited
The Water Tower, Gunpowder Mill
were promoting them to their customers. During this time, utilities werent pro- Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1BN, United Kingdom
phone +44.1992.656600
moting kilowatt hours, they were selling convenience and modern technologies fax +44.1992.656700
that improved customers lives. pennwelluk@pennwell.com

When did they stop doing this? Why did they stop? For the last several CHAIRMAN Robert F. Biolchini
decades, utility customers have bought modern conveniences and technologies VICE CHAIRMAN Frank T. Lauinger
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
powered by electricity from other companies. Electric utilities have been OK with EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mark C. Wilmoth
it. But, its time for them to dig out their old playbook and take a refresher course EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY Jayne A. Gilsinger
on offering customers the modern conveniences made possible by electricity. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND
On page 18, youll see an article by Mike Kaplan of Ecova titled The Next Nest. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Brian Conway

In it he talks about doing just that. On page 31, Tom Rooney and Bill Moran of TRC SUBSCRIBER SERVICE
P.O. Box 47570, Plymouth, MN 55447
Companies explain how microgrids are a mega-opportunity for electric utilities. Phone 1-800-869-6882
You might think approaching customers and offering them modern technologies PGRID@kmpsgroup.com

and mega-opportunities is a new concept for utilities. But, I can promise you it isnt. POWERGRID International is the
official publication of

4 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_4 4 9/6/17 8:52 AM


DUKE COMMENCING SMART METER ROLLOUT IN KENTUCKY
Duke Energy Kentucky launched its
smart meter deployment program last
month, bringing new digital technology
to customers in northern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Public Service Commission
approved the smart meter rollout in
S&C ELECTRIC, AMEREN PULL OFF ISLANDING TEST ON ILLINOIS MICROGRID
Ameren Corp. and S&C Electric Co.
conducted a successful 24-hour island-
ing test at the recently deployed Ameren
microgrid in Champaign, Illinois. The
microgrid has been operational since
May and can provide a transition from
grid-connected to island mode.
The test focused on the 50 kW micro-
grid at the site, which powers an Ameren
research facility. The complete microgrid
includes 225 kW of renewable generation
(PV solar and wind) and 250 kW/500
kWh of battery energy storage.
The August test began with the bat-
terys state of charge at 97 percent capac-
ity. Once the battery was depleted to 90
percent capacity, solar and wind genera-
tion kicked in, simultaneously carrying
the load and charging the battery.
This pattern continued throughout the
day, never letting the battery fall lower than
88 percent capacity. In short, the microgrid
functioned without any human interaction,
1709pg_5 5
May. Duke has about 143,000 electric
customers in five Kentucky counties.
The new meters offer several enhanced
services that will provide customers with
more control over their energy use as
well as tailored bill payment options.
automatically coordinating resources and
ensuring power never faltered.
Upon conclusion of the 24-hour test,
the microgrid successfully moved back
into grid-connected mode without any
loss of power for end users.
We have one of the few microgrids
in the world that operates at utility-scale
voltages and can seamlessly transition
from grid-connected to islanded mode,
said Ron Pate, senior vice president,
operations and technical services at
Ameren Illinois. This successful test pro-
vided tangible proof that the system can
accomplish what it was designed to do.
The microgrid isnt theoretical and our
tests dont need to be lab simulations.
During the test, the Ameren microgrid
functioned on 100 percent renewable
energy throughout the day. Many micro-
grids of this scale need to rely on rotating
machines or generators, which prevent
100 percent penetration of renewable
NOTES
Customers with smart meters will have
the opportunity to pick billing due dates
and receive alerts that will guide their
monthly budgeting and help them man-
age their personal energy lifestyle.
Customers have told us they want
more timely access to their energy usage
information, and bringing these smart
meters to Kentucky is a way for us
to meet those expectations, said Jim
Henning, president, Duke Energy Ohio
and Kentucky. We know our customers
also want more control over their energy
usage, their utility bills and tools to help
them make smart energy choices to best
fit their needs.
Deployment will take approximately
18 months.
energy in these situations.
At the Ameren microgrid, when the
generation exceeds the load, the excess
powers the battery. With a rotating
machine, the influx of generation would
have caused the system to trip due to
penetration limits.
When designing this microgrid, we
were confident that the seamless tran-
sition and the ability to run solely on
renewable generation would be two of the
biggest features to this system, said David
Chiesa, senior director, business develop-
ment at S&C. Microgrids are becoming
more commonplace on the grid, and this
test continues to prove how impactful
they can be for energy users.
September 2017 | 5
www.power-grid.com
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 NOTES
SMUD, GRIDX TEAM UP ON NEW TIME-OF-DAY BILLING TOOL
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
(SMUD) and GridX Inc. will partner to
roll out a new bill scenario analysis tool
that will allow SMUDs customer service
representatives (CSRs) to help customers
learn more about how the transition to
time-of-day rates will impact their bills.
GridX is a provider of big data billing
and billing quality analytics solutions for
energy companies using smart grid infra-
structure. Its technology enables utilities to
DOE ALLOCATES $900,000 TOWARD UNIVERSITY GRID RESEARCH
The U.S. Department of Energys (DOEs)
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability will allocate $900,000 in ear-
ly-stage research on risk and uncertainty
within the power system.
The funding will help three universities
do work on reliability issues. The invest-
ment is part of the Energy Departments
Grid Modernization Initiative. The three
recipients are Penn State University, the
University of Utah and Virginia Tech.
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
Penn State Universitys effort is called
6 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_6 6
design, promote and operate new energy
products and programs.
Under a traditional tiered rate system,
bills are calculated based on the volume of
energy customers use. Under time-of-day
rates, when customers use energy will be
just as important as how much they use.
After SMUD transitions all customers
to time-of-day plans by the end of 2019,
about 44 percent of customers will pay
less over the course of a year than they
do under the current system, even if they
make no changes to their energy use. About
49 percent of customers will pay about $2
more per month on average under the new
plan, and about 8 percent will pay about
$6.80 more per month. If these customers
adjust when they use energy, they may be
able to reduce their bills and save money
on a time-of-day plan.
The new bill scenario analysis tool will
allow a SMUD CSR to accurately calculate a
A Multistage Stochastic Transmission
Expansion Algorithm for Wide-area Planning
under Uncertainty. The team will focus on
developing a novel computational method
for solving uncertainty in transmission plans
for a large power system network.
Penn State researchers will develop algo-
rithms, software tools and demonstration
tests on working systems such as Western
Interconnection or PJM Interconnection.
The project is expected to result in a dra-
matic reduction in the computation time
required for solving challenges for trans-
mission lines when its not known where
specific customers bills on a new rate. It will
also allow the CSR to discuss various energy
use scenarios with the customer and calcu-
late how his or her bill will be impacted by
shifting energy use to different time periods,
adding or removing programs, deploying
rooftop solar, adding an electric vehicle or
possibly switching to SMUDs fixed rate
option. The bill scenarios are personalized
to each customer and calculated in real time
while customers are on the phone.
As we transition our customers to
time-of-day rates, we want to help them
learn as much as possible about how
their bill may be impacted and what they
can do to control their energy costs, said
Nicole Howard, SMUDs chief customer
officer. By working with GridX, well be
able to roll out an accurate, responsive
tool that will allow us to provide specific
numbers to our customers so they can
make informed choices.
future generation choices will be located.
DOE is investing $174,061 for the proj-
ect, while the cost share will be $54,258.
Final award amounts for all projects are
subject to negotiation.
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
At the University of Utah, researchers will
use the DOE funds to develop models for
stochastic continuous-time unit commit-
ment (UC) in wholesale market operations.
The proposed UC will accurately model
the continuous-time variations of load and
renewable energy sources (RES), and effi-
ciently deploy the ramping capability of
flexible resources to compensate the sources
of variability and uncertainty in markets
all while respecting the continuous-time
flow constraints of transmission networks.
The approach will model the uncertainty
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 BY ROD WALTON, SENIOR EDITOR

ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR

20 PERCENT OF AMERICAN GDP, REPORT SAYS
Nearly 2.7 million Americans work investments exceeded $135 billiona
directly for the electric power industry level of investment that is more than twice traditional revenue sources. A Washington
while roughly 5 percent of the nations jobs what it was a decade ago, the report State University Energy Program report from
are linked to the sector somehow, accord- says. These investments benefit customers 2013 estimated that the sector will need to
ing to a new report released in August. and support jobs dedicated to building invest about $1.5 trillion on upgrading grid
The electric power industry altogether smarter energy infrastructure and to cre- infrastructure through 2030.
contributes about $880 billion annually ating a cleaner generation fleet. Many of Engineers, lineworkers, plant and
to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), the individuals who support and build field operators and technicians make up
itself about 5 percent of the total national infrastructure projects are represented by about 44 percent of the energy power
GDP, reads the findings from consulting organized labor. sector workforce, according to 2015 data
firm M.J. Bradley & Associates report, In 2015, the median income for elec- used in the report. Engineers typically
Powering America: The Economic and tric power industry jobs hovered around make close to $44 per hour.
Workforce Contributions of the U.S. $73,000twice the national median. In addition to those considered com-
Electric Power Industry. Benefits lifted that total closer to $100,000, pany direct workers, the sector also
The tally was conducted for the Edison according to the Bradley report. Many of employs 1.7 million contractors and sup-
Electric Institute, the American Public those employees have been working for their ply chain employees directly or induced
Power Association and the National companies 15 years or longer, indicating job from spending, according to the report.
Rural Electric Cooperative Association. stability in the ever-changing economy.
Results indicate that the electric power More growth poten-
sector also spends deeply on infrastruc- tial and financial chal- WHATS ALL THE
ture and at a quickening pace. lenges are on the way,
In 2016, the industrys capital despite falling demand for COMMOTION ABOUT ?
In what may be a record, in 4 years
of RES and load forecast by continuous-time power trajectory realization Peter Guske PT has effectively
scenarios, according to the DOE release. The results could help compen- trained over 16,000 people from the
sate for real-time energy imbalance and ramping requirements, as well
desk-bound worker to heavy labor
as enable competitive integration of energy storage devices and
demand response.
by reducing the incidence of...
The federal investment is $357,339, with an additional cost-share the 3 most expensive health/safety issues for all
of $92,552. employers: 1)Back/Neck Injuries, 2)Diabetes/Fatigue
and 3)Heart Disease, with the only training course in the
VIRGINIA TECH nation which actually demonstrates to you how you can
The Virginia Tech project will focus on developing production costing put your own back, back in, when you put your back
tools that can consider the variable nature of renewable energy sources and out using the new, myth-shattering, uniquely-effective,
treat them as generation candidates in a power system expansion plan. The results-oriented techniques of The Back Saver System.
object is to develop a probability-based model for effective load carrying See astonishing videos
capacity and cost-effective integration of renewables into the power grid. from our clients
The fundamental goal will be developing a probability-based optimiza-
tion tool that can reflect the nature of solar and wind energy outputs. This
www.medicalarts4u.com
tool would allow Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission A personal message from Peter Guske PT:
In the last quarter century, there has not been
Operators to consider renewable energy as an option for their expansion a solitary day where I, personally, have failed to
plans and help them calculate the capacity credit for each solar or wind farm. follow exactly the same techniques as in
The Back Saver System, for myself.
DOE is investing $359,691 in the Virginia Tech project. Cost share
is $89,958. Go to pgi.hotims.com for more information.
September 2017 | 7
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_7 7 9/6/17 8:53 AM

 NOTES
BY CORINA RIVERA LINARES, CHIEF ANALYST, TRANSMISSIONHUB
APPROVAL SOUGHT FOR PROJECT CONNECTING ARIZONA, MEXICO GRIDS
Nogales Transmission L.L.C. and UNS
Electric Inc. (UNSE) requested from the
Arizona Power Plant and Transmission
Line Siting Committee certificates of
environmental compatibility for author-
ity to build two related transmission
projects connecting Arizona and Mexico.
The facilities would result in an asyn-
chronous connection between the electric
grid in southern Arizona and the electric
grid in northwestern Mexico, offering
such benefits to each system as access to
additional energy sources, markets and
ancillary services; cost savings; and eco-
nomic development, the companies said.
The facilities would support the reli-
ability of each electric system, including
providing bidirectional power flow, volt-
age support and emergency assistance,
as needed, for the electric systems north
and south of the international border, the
companies said.
The Nogales, Arizona, area, which relies
on a single transmission line for power
supply, would obtain access to additional
EV BATTERY STARTUP ROMEO POWER GAINS $30M IN SEED FUNDING
Romeo Power, packed with former
employees from Tesla and other tech
giants, is drawing a sizable amount of ven-
ture capital in its drive to challenge bigger
energy storage pioneers.
The Southern California startup announced
it has attracted $30 million in seed financ-
ing, which follows a $5 million round of
early investment. The large-scale fiscal
injection came as Romeo Power com-
pletes its 113,000 square-foot manufac-
turing site near downtown Los Angeles.
Romeo is ramping production of its lith-
ium-ion battery packs for electric vehicle
(EV) and stationary storage applications.
8 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_8 8
sources of electricity in the event of a reli-
ability emergency.
The Nogales Interconnection Project con-
sists of these three components, all of which
would be in Santa Cruz County, the com-
panies said:
A UNSE 138-kV gateway substation
and a Nogales Transmission 230-kV gate-
way substation, which would be the
location of high voltage direct current
converter equipment, will be referred to
collectively as the Gateway substation
A new, approximately three-mile, dou-
ble-circuit 138-kV transmission line will be
built by UNSEone circuit will extend the
existing UNSE Vail to Valencia line from a
point near UNSEs Valencia substation to
the proposed Gateway substation, and one
circuit will connect the new Gateway sub-
station to the existing Valencia substation
A new approximately two-mile, sin-
gle-circuit, 230-kV transmission line
will be built by Nogales Transmission
on double-circuit capable structures
that will connect the proposed Gateway
The modular battery packscomprised
of cylindrical lithium-ion cellscan
be used in cars, power sport vehicles,
motorcycles, trucks, buses and forklifts,
according to the company release. The
trademarked PowerStack stationary stor-
age pack can be used by businesses to
store electricity during off-peak hours.
Romeo Power says it has gained $65
million in initial orders since kicking off
its sales effort this year. Those contracts
and design agreements span U.S. and
European automakers, manufacturers of
motorcycles and forklifts, industrial play-
ers such as power designers and robotics
substation to the U.S.-Mexico border,
where it will interconnect with the Red
Nacional de Transmisin, the state-
owned transmission grid operated by
Centro Nacional de Control de Energa.
The companies noted that entities on
both sides of the international border
have taken initial steps to facilitate the
Nogales Interconnection Project, which
is being jointly developed by MEH
Equities Management Co. and Nogales
Transmission, which is an indirect sub-
sidiary of Hunt Power L.P., an indirect
subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated Inc.
companies, according to the release.
Weve seen incredible momentum in a
short period, and were scaling manufac-
turing as fast as we can to meet demand,
said Michael Patterson, Romeo Power
founder and CEO. Theres a massive mar-
ket opportunity for energy storage tech-
nologies.
Romeo Power employees, who previ-
ously worked for Tesla, SpaceX, Apple,
Amazon and Samsung, began selling its
packs several months ago. The packs
went into production even before Teslas
highly publicized factory was completed,
according to a previous article by Forbes.
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 EYE ON THE WORLD
First Solar Connecting Solar Projects Down Under
First Solar won a 241 MW module supply contract by RCR
Tomlinson as engineering, procurement and construction con-
tractor for Edify Energys Daydream (180.7 MW) and Hayman
(60.2 MW) solar projects in Queensland, Australia. This con-
tract takes First Solars delivery pipeline to over 500 MW in the
next 12 months.
Located across two sites north of Collinsville, the projects
will use an optimized technology solution that includes single
axis tracking technology from Array Technologies, and more
than 2,026,565 First Solar advanced thin film photovoltaic
(PV) modules, to produce about 531,000 MWh of sustainable
energy each year.
On completion, the projects will provide environmental ben-
efits, producing enough sustainable energy to displace 429,000
metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year combined.
This will serve the needs of nearly 73,000 average Queensland
homes, the equivalent of taking nearly 115,000 cars off the road.
Construction on the projects is scheduled to commence in the
third quarter 2017, with module delivery in fourth quarter 2017
and first quarter 2018.

Silver Spring to Extend Starfish into London Smart Lighting Projects

Silver Spring Networks Inc. will deploy its Starfish platform-
as-a-service (PaaS) across the city of London and the London
borough of Barking and Dagenham. This adds to the previously
announced London deployment in the City of Westminster.
Through Urban Control Ltd, the newest company within
the DW Windsor Group, Silver Springs Starfish is expected to
connect approximately 12,000 smart street lights in the city of
London and 15,500 smart street lights in the borough of Barking
and Dagenham. Starfish is based on Silver Springs wireless net-
work and data platform, built on the Wi-SUN Internet of Things
(IoT) mesh technology specification.
Silver Spring is a founding member and co-chair of the
Wi-SUN Alliance, which drives the interoperability for wireless
solutions based on the IEEE 802.15.4g standard.
We are excited that our go-to-market strategy is gaining
momentum internationally, with our newest award in the UK,
and we are honored to expand our deployment in London,
Ayse Ildeniz, Silver Spring Networks chief operating officer, said
in a company statement. Being selected by London demon-
strates that world-class cities rely on technology that is proven
to be secure, reliable, scalable and based on our open standards operational costs, while also improving service reliability and helping lay a platform for future
technology. IoT applications.
Silver Springs platform was selected to provide 100 percent In East London, the borough of Barking and Dagenham is aiming to drive energy efficiency
coverage in the dense urban setting of London, including streets, through remote dimming and brightening of the new smart street lights. The program is a core
lanes and alleyways where cellular technology is unavailable, aspect of the Boroughs goal to become the Green Energy Capital of London, and an important
and star networks could not reach. The Square Mile is a aspect within the selection was Silver Springs ability to deploy additional IoT services in the future.
global financial hub and central business district through which With more than 26.7 million enabled devices delivered on five continents. Silver Spring
more than 450,000 commuters pass daily. The smart street lights Networks has also deployed its technology in Bristol, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dubai, Glasgow,
will help London achieve its energy savings goals and reduce Kolkata, Melbourne, Mexico City, Paris, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Washington, D.C.

September 2017 | 9
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_9 9 9/6/17 8:53 AM

 Wheel Power
BY ROD WALTON, SENIOR EDITOR
Innovations Accelerate Fleet Management Future
S uccess is both a destination and a journey.
Sound likes a money line for moti-
vational speakers, but this is literally the
truth for electric utility fleet managers.
The job, from morning to night, is getting
their companys vehicles repaired, rotated
and rolling down the road to the next
dispatch call. They have to be obsessed
with safety, environmental, fuel, mechani-
cal, cost and scheduling concerns. A fleet
managers brain cant drive 55.
Many of them gathered in June at the annu-
al Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in
Williamsburg, Virginia. Presentations focused
on regulatory and legislative updates, Ansi
92.2 standards, best processes, safety, prod-
ucts, technician training, maintenance and
other issues. The way forward is accelerating
as transportation planners deal with shifts
to natural gas-fueled and electric motors,
directional aids such as GPS and emergency
planning, not to mention leaps in dispatch
software and operational metrics.
10 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_10 10
One of the key pre-
senters at the EUFMC,
CMS Energy fleet manager
Kyle Jones, talked about
break-through thinking
that pushes advances
in mechanic efficiency, Kyle Jones
cost (per-class unit cal-
culations) and, last but not least, overall
vision. In speaking later with POWERGRID
International, Jones said that break-through
thinking is stretching yourself to achieve a
goal which you can barely see or touch. It
is encouraging your team to achieve the
miracle.
What does that kind of victory look like?
On the safety front, CMS unit Consumers
Energy reduced injuries by close to 90
percent, while capital spending was used
to replace costly older vehicles and isolate
operational data to identify and reduce
under-used models. The team also broke
down planned and demand work to make
scheduling more efficient.
Setting the target of planned work
each week is based on hours required
and working daily with operations to ful-
fill the needs of the demand work, Jones
said. Our current target is to complete
70 percent of planned work weekly.
Karen Garrett, product
planning analyst for the
Freightliner On-Highway
division of Daimler
Trucks North America,
focuses on making fleet
Karen Garrett
managers aware of the
latest ways to avoid the biggest bugaboo
of fleetsaccidentsand detailing the
safety systems of the future. She talked
about game changers entering the prover-
bial information superhighway on-ramp
such as active lane assistance, active blind
spot assistance and surround view.
These futuristic and automated safety
aids already are being utilized in the
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 passenger car market, but the commer-
cial side is waiting for proof that they
really meet the demands of the trade.
These types of systems require a sig-
nificant amount of validation through
many use cases and environments to
ensure the components can stand up
to the rigorous life-cycle of the truck,
Garrett said. Many of these systems are
also in the process of commercializing
developing up to the heavy duty truck
use cases we require all our components
meet. These two pieces together are driv-
ing our timing to introduce these systems
on our trucks.
A 2015 National Transportation Safety
Board report focused on the use of
forward collision avoidance systems to
prevent and mitigate rear-end crashes
(Figure 1). The systems factored into the
NTSB report included collision warn-
ing systems, dynamic brake support,
automated emergency braking and other
avoidance technologies.
According to the NTSB, dangerous
impacts fell dramatically with new avoid-
ance systems in place as opposed to not
having them. Rear-end collisions fell 71
percent with systems included, while
improper lane changes (clearly avoidable
with good driving practices) dropped
46 percent per million miles.
Safety is crucial, no doubt. Picking the
right truck for the job also is a key deci-
sion for fleet buyers. Utilities also must
determine if enhancements are worth the
cost of upkeep. CMS Energy developed a
cost-per-class unit metric to help it push
beyond typical benchmarking studies.
Our fleet team wanted to show the
relationship between the overall number
of units with the class size vs. the dollars
required to maintain, CMS Jones said.
He admitted, though, that this metric did
not give the whole story.
This metric provided substantial
opportunities to our group identifying
cost savings, he said. However, what we
found was this metric was only an internal

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 measurement (and) it did not provide
the view in how we impact the overall
operation. We are currently utilizing this
metric to ensure we are controlling costs.
. . We established the mechanic efficiency
index to show how our performance was
impacting unit availability.
Its not enough to simply buy new bells
and whistles. Someone must know how
they function. In addition, fleet managers
must ensure they have the supply chain
ready to roll and the skilled technicians
to work with new components.
Meanwhile, some things never change,
no matter how much the technology
improves. Jones said that good managers
FIGURE 1: Accidents with automated vs. no automated safety aids
must always get back to the basics. They
must spend time with the mechanics and
field crews to understand what works and
what is not running on all cylinders. They
must determine how to keep it all running
at premium levels, sometimes with low-
er-octane budgets.
The most challenging part of fleet is really
two-fold: Delivering world-class perfor-
mance in service of operations and com-
peting for capital dollars while keeping
the balance of lifecycle in checkall the
while dealing with the annual demands
of reducing O&M, Jones said.
Downtime in the garage cuts down mar-
gin as much as any other kind of waste.
12 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_12 12
The health of a fleet is most important
when its needed in sudden fashion, such
as disaster calls and other field repairs.
Another key is knowing what assets are
positioned where and using technology to
make calls quickly and accurately.
Efficient and highly-connected dispatch
services can be the birds-eye view for
repair crews responding to an outage.
Gaps in deployment wastes time and
money, so things like GPS tracking
Source: NTSB-2015
technology can not only get crews where
they need to be, but also allow both dis-
patchers and fleet managers to know in
real-time when one job is done and when
its time to move on to the next.
Having the ability to
dispatch crews based
on whos closest to the
outage, type of truck or
skillset of the crew
makes response times
faster and makes the fleet Ryan Driscoll
more efficient when they arrive to the
outages, said Ryan Driscoll, marketing
director for tracking software firm GPS
Insight. Safety of these crews is also a
concern in bad conditions. Giving crews
panic buttons they wear on their person
allows dispatch to quickly respond to
emergency situations on jobsites as well.
Training is a foundation for all successful
fleet deployment and maintenance success.
Excellent training, Pacific Gas & Electrics
fleet operations manager Ana Sarver point-
ed out at the EUFMC event, requires
engagement from mechanics, engineering
and garage operations leadership.
CMS Energys Jones added that his
utility has developed a mechanic effi-
ciency index that includes average time
for preventative maintenance, demand
workload, hours billed, overtime and
something called quality comebacks.
Repair comebacks, of course, cost time
and additional money. Organizing these
factors into an index was a comprehen-
sive way of making sense of fleet data.
This index allows us to take the most
important actors of a technicians day
and track the progress through a single
metric, he said. The method of the
index focuses on several key performance
indicators at once, giving us the ability to
quickly identify gaps and determine what
adjustments need to be made by each
mechanic to achieve the desired results.
Like a good driver who pays attention
to oil pressure, temperature and RPMs,
electric utility fleet managers must have
several gauges to measure progress. They
take stock of factors such as fuel, repairs,
dispatch timing and, of course, safety. They
drive innovations through planned trials
and gain invaluable experience in how
their crews respond to unplanned crises.
They can never yield on that journey.
9/6/17 8:53 AM
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 BY PAT PATERNOSTRO, ARCT; JOE STEWART, PG&E; TONY CARLOS, TREES INC.

Excelling at Customer Service T

Providing safe and reliable electric power takes the coordination of multiple
how three organizations serving the Fresno, California, area made it h

14 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_14 14 9/6/17 8:53 AM


Takes Teamwork
teams, vendors and partners. Heres the story of
happen by making teamwork their No. 1 priority.
M ost customers dont think about what
goes on behind the scenes when it
comes to electricity, or about what goes into
making it possible to turn on a lightbulb,
watch TV or access any other modern neces-
sity. Those whose job is to make this possi-
ble, however, know that it takes hard work,
dedication and teamwork to pull it off.
In a mission to provide better customer
service in the Fresno, California, service
district, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E),
ACRT Inc. and Trees Inc. created a plan
that has helped enhance overall service
to its customer base. Its a multifaceted
approach that has served the utility and its
partners well over the past several years.
Following are some of the essential
tenets of their approach to providing
better service.
EVALUATING CUSTOMER SERVICE
PG&Es service platform revolves around
three critical metrics that are followed
across every service its provides: safety,
quality of work and customer satisfaction.
Safety and quality of work are straight-
forward measures. Safety can be mea-
sured by how many accidents are report-
ed each month, work quality by how
often crews must be sent into the field to
make corrections.
Customer service can be a little more
slippery. One of the ways that PG&E
measures customer service is through
a regularly distributed survey among
1709pg_15 15
its customers, based on a sliding scale.
Across the entire service network,
PG&Es goal is to maintain an average
customer service rating of excellent.
To achieve that goal, PG&E has acted on
customer feedback while evaluating how
the entire organization works together as
a team to provide excellent service.
ENHANCING CUSTOMER
COMMUNICATION
Due to PG&Es strong relationship with
local tree company Trees Inc., a pilot pro-
gram was launched based on improving
communication with every customer. The
participants included crews from ACRT
Inc., which is PG&Es vegetation manage-
ment consulting partner, Trees Inc. and
PG&E employees.
The pilot program included a series
of focus groups to create a platform for
ACRTs foresters and Trees Inc.s tree care
workers to get to know one another.
Although their work overlaps, the group
sessions allowed foresters and tree care
workers to become acquainted on a per-
sonal level and to chat about shared busi-
ness as it relates to their important work.
In addition, the focus groups offered
field personnel a firsthand look at deci-
sion making at the management level.
Participants viewed customer satisfaction
surveys, metric scorecards and patrol
standards, offering transparency into
how field operations were connected to
the goals of the management teams.
Most importantly, the focus groups
brought clarity to sometimes difficult
customer scenarios that these teams
often face. Teams were given talking
points and training on how to deal with
these scenarios appropriately, effective-
ly and consistently. Creating a uniform
experience for customers when chal-
lenging situations ariseunwanted but
September 2017 | 15
www.power-grid.com
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 sometimes necessary in areas like trim-
ming, billing disputes and moreis
critical to overall excellent satisfaction.
In addition, industry literature was dis-
tributed to provide a credible reference
to utility vegetation management best
practices, as well as visual tools to help
customers better understand the neces-
sary work performed by PG&E and its
partners each day.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ACTION
When its time to perform the work,
PG&E expects that its customers are
made fully aware of the job that is being
done. Its the job of PG&E, ACRT and
Trees Inc. to communicate that message
clearly before performing the work as
safely and accurately as possible.
All efforts are made to make personal
contact with PG&Es customers. Thats not
possible in every case, however, because
many customers are often at work or
elsewhere while foresters and tree care
workers are working on their property.
Knowing these variables, PG&E devel-
oped a series of communications that help
enhance overall service and transparency.
These items include door hangers, which
explain in detail how work will be done
on their property, and a business card
which directs customers to a dedicated
Web page where they can learn more
about how ACRT, Trees Inc. and PG&E
can provide excellent customer service.
Further, when crews do come into direct
contact with customers, PG&E and its
partners have created verbiage that pro-
motes customer service excellence. This
same language has been incorporated into
foresters voicemail messages and more.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
TOGETHER
In addition to improved customer
16 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_16 16
communication, there was opportunity
to enhance cross-team communication
as well. PG&E thus instituted a series of
cross-training activities between ACRTs
foresters and Trees Inc.s tree care work-
ers. The goal was to forge a better under-
standing of how the other works, for
better coordination and cooperation.
PG&E has always operated under the
guiding principle that tree care workers
and foresters are working toward the
same goal. Reaching that goal can be
done more efficiently when both teams
work together.
There are, of course, differences in
the respective work performed by for-
esters and tree care workers, and there-
fore, breakdowns in communications can
occur. Such a disconnect between pre-
scribed work from foresters and the actual
work carried out by tree care workers
can lead to a negative effect on customer
service.
When everyone understands each others
jobs, however, its far easier to work more
productively for customers. Job shadow-
ing, combined team meetings and daily
communication are just a few initia-
tives ACRT and Trees Inc. instituted to
improve teamwork. As a result of these
initiatives, while the scope of the work
has not changed, the approach is more
strategic. PG&Es customer service has
seen continuous improvement because
of that approach.
The pilot program in Fresno has
been successful. PG&E is working on
expanding similar programs throughout
its territories in California because the
results have made an impact. Through
coordinated efforts to boost communi-
cationto customers and among PG&E
teamsall are truly empowered to pro-
vide excellence in customer service.
Pat Paternostro Paternostro has been with
ACRT for 22 years, including seven years as
operations manager. He earned an associate
degree in forestry from Pennsylvania State Col-
lege of Technology and is a Certified Arborist
Utility Specialist.
Joe Stewart has served 16 years in the indus-
try. He has worked four years as VPM for the
Fresno and Kern divisions of PG&E. He earned
a bachelors degree in biology from the Univer-
sity of New Mexico and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Phoenix.
He is a Certified Arborist Utility Specialist.
Tony Carlos has been with Trees Inc. for one
year. He has a bachelors degree in history
from California State University, Sacramento,
and a juris doctorate from the McGeorge
School of Law. He is a member of The State
Bar of California.
9/6/17 8:53 AM
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 The Next Nest
BY MIKE KAPLAN
KAPLAN, ECOVA

Embracing the
Future of Connectedd
Energy Technologiess
A s utilities develop their demand side
management and customer solution
strategies, they face a host of challenges
de
on
ges
ranging from new business models to com- m-
petition for customer dollars. Emerging con-
nected devices and technologies can be part
of the solution, giving utilities a platform to
enhance customer engagement and improve
demand side management.
Utilities shouldnt, however, sit back
and wait for the next Nest thermostat to
come along. Transforming market adop- much more pro-
tion of connected devices has historically found than simply cre-re-
been easier said than done. Utilities ating new hardware designs,gns, photo courtesy Nest

should proactively use lessons learned
from the success of Nest, and competi-
tive smart thermostats, and apply them
to the next wave of connected energy
saving devices for utility residential and
business customers alike.
When Nest first launched in 2010, the
idea that a customermuch less droves
of themwould pay $250 for a ther-
mostat was a foreign concept at best. As
with many innovative end-user technol-
ogies, the prognosticators were wrong.
Looking ahead, Smart Thermostats
Market Report 2015-21, released by
IOT Analytics in March 2016, predicts
smart thermostat sales are expected to
reach $4.7 billion by 2021, growing from
$879 million in 2016.
Smart thermostat makers drove mass-
market adoption by doing something
algorithms and smartphone apps. pps.
They made the standard, fairly uninter-
esting thermostat something that cus-
tomers actually covet.
Smart thermostats engaged customers
in a new way by moving the conversation
beyond the basic capabilities of the ther-
mostat. The marketing and sales pitch
was no longer just about new features
and functions for controlling customers
HVAC and saving energy. It was about
something bigger: simplifying customers
lives, providing customers with more
control and comfort in their homes, and
leading a savvier and more high-tech
lifestyle. The message resonated with
utility customers, driving demand for
reasons beyond the original energy sav-
ings intent.
Utilities can learn from this experience
as more energy efficiency products
become smart, connected and valuable to
consumers and businesses. There are sev-
eral home and building technologies that
have the potential to be Nestified. With
the right set of customer offerings, utilities
can expand adoption of these solutions
and get customers to opt-in to demand
side management at the same time:
Energy management systems for
small-to-medium-sized businesses:
Energy management systems (EMS)
are not new in the commercial sec-
tor. Long considered a large com-
mercial offering, small-to-medium-
sized businesses (SMBs) can now
take advantage of the EMS (or smart
thermostat) capabilities to improve
control of their buildings, attacking

18 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_18 18 9/6/17 8:53 AM

 30 percent to 50 percent of the to restaurants that now use tablets leveraging smart water heaters
energy savings potential that typ-
ene to take and pay for your order. during periods of peak energy
ically exists. The EMS is not
ical Likewise, utilities should commu- demand, when energy is the most
just about saving energyit
jus nicate how an EMS can help ease expensive. A homeowners next
improves business opera-
imp the two most precious resources of water heater might be able to pro-
tions and reduces mainte-
tio SMBs: time and money. vide updates to her smartphone or
nance headaches. In addi-
na Water heaters: Water heaters arent online if it requires maintenance,
tion, SMBs are increasingly
tio necessarily considered high tech, which brings added value into the
open to new technologies
op but smart water heaters could play home or office. This new type of
that make them more nim-
th a key role in grid management and technology can help break the cycle
ble, from professional ser-
ble demand response for utilities. Green of the water heater simply being an
vices firms adopting mar-
vic Mountain Power in Vermont, for emergency purchase by transform-
keting software to operate
ke example, gives customers more ing it into a purchase that is planned
more like a large enterprise,
mo control over their energy use by for and continuously managed.

photo courtesy Nest

September 2017 | 19
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_19 19 9/6/17 8:53 AM

 Smart lighting: An emerging class of
connected lighting products is pro-
viding utilities and their customers
with unprecedented control over
their light bulbs. For many customer
segments, however, prices are still
high and the incremental savings
benefit is still being proven. While
prices will come down over time,
utilities must effectively market the
benefits of these products beyond
energy savings. Take the ability to
precisely control the hue of any
bulb: consumers may be interested
in setting the right ambience when
their friends come over, while busi-
nesses will care about how this capa-
bility can positively impact sales or
employee productivity. Other bene-
fits include enhanced security and
even health. These are the types of
reasons some customers might pay
a premium for this technology.
What role should utilities play in the
process of framing these benefits to their
customers? Part of the answer depends
on how savvy technology vendors are
with their own marketing strategies, but
utilities should be prepared to be a driv-
ing force when necessary. In addition, the
utility has never been in a better position
to elevate the message and drive greater
adoption for these products. There are
several key reasons for this:
1) Utilities are bolstering their cus-
tomer engagement capabilities.
Recognizing the need to deepen
customer relationships and improve
customer satisfaction, many utili-
ties are investing in new customer
engagement solutions and functions.
Customer and digital experience is
becoming increasingly core to the
utility, supported by both internal
20 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_20 20
functions and partnerships with
external software and services pro-
viders. The right tools, processes and
capabilities are big pieces of the puz-
zle to customer engagement success,
but utilities also must master how to
speak to their customers better than
anyone else. Effectively introducing
and communicating new technology
products is one way to do that.
2) Utilities are getting into the ana-
lytics game. Like investments in
customer engagement, utilities are
taking data analytics seriously. With
meter dataunfettered access to how
customers are using its services
the utility industry is in a better
position than any other vertical
to understand customer behaviors
and needs. With the right analytics
solutions in place, a new level of
personalized understanding can be
embedded in customer engagement
efforts around smart and connected
products. Thats something a product
manufacturer cant do on its own.
3) Utilities are transforming the buy-
ing process. Utilities are increasing-
ly at the forefront of the purchase
process for energy related devices.
By influencing the distribution, pur-
chase and installation of these prod-
ucts, utilities can transform the ener-
gy buying process into a seamless
experience. Technology vendors are
already eager to work with utilities
as a key channel. In addition, util-
ities are getting more proactive by
improving their incentive and rebate
strategies, and launching online mar-
ketplaces that guide customers to
the right offer for them. Customers,
particularly those who are connect-
ed, are more apt to listen to their
utility: A report from Accenture
Strategy titled Re-energizing the
New Energy Consumer, published
a couple of years ago, says that 41
percent of digital consumers trust
their energy provider to help opti-
mize their energy consumption vs.
31 percent of non-digital users.
As business facilities and home envi-
ronments become smarter, there are more
opportunities for utilities to think big
and encourage the adoption of connected
devices by learning from past industry
successes. Ultimately, rather than focusing
on one singular device for future growth,
utilities should embrace the ecosystem
that these connected devices create within
the home or business, and work to scale
this across their customer base to deliv-
er more dynamic grid management and
greater customer satisfaction.
The sum of a connected ecosystem
provides even greater value to customers
than its parts, and utilities should under-
stand how to orient their strategies to
capitalize on that value.
Mike Kaplan is vice president
of marketing at Ecova. He
leads Ecovas corporate and
product marketing efforts for
solutions provided to utilities
and commercial and indus-
trial organizations. His focus areas include
product messaging, sales enablement, go-to-
market strategy development and demand
generation. Prior to joining Ecova, Kaplan man-
aged marketing activities for Retroficiency, the
award-winning building efficiency analytics
platform acquired by Ecova in October 2015.
His experience spans a number of high-tech-
nology markets, including enterprise software,
wireless and mobile, analytics and Internet. Ka-
plan holds a bachelor of arts degree in media
studies from the University of Rochester and
an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technologys Sloan School of Management.
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 BY ROBERT SONDEREGGER, ITRON
An Affinity for Proper Connections
Ensuring Efficiency with Accurate Transformer and Phase Connectivity
P ower outages, whether caused by
extreme weather or by local accidents,
require a timely remedy by utility crews.
Repairing distribution infrastructure follow-
ing an outage could, however, result in the
reconnection of some meters to a transform-
er or phase other than the one originally
connected. In addition, there are situations,
especially during power emergencies, where
meter connections are rerouted without the
utilitys records ever being updated. Over
time, utility records and physical reality
might diverge sufficiently, making it difficult
to manage the distribution network.
Transformers may fail without warning
because of overloading due to incorrect
connectivity data on record, thus leaving
all connected customers without power.
Meanwhile, other transformers might be
left inadvertently oversized with fewer
meters than the original design specified.
1709pg_21 21
This causes unnecessary waste of equip-
ment capacity and power. Theft detection
strategies, based on comparing voltages
of all meters connected to the same
transformer, fail because knowledge of
connectivity is faulty. Similarly, detecting
high impedance connectionsa threat to
customer safetyis impaired by the lack
of reliable data on connectivity.
Finally, outage detection and reporting
systems rely on accurate knowledge of
transformer and phase connectivity. In
todays communication networks, only
a subset of the power-off-notifications
(PONs) sent by all smart meters affected
by an outage are heard by the head
end. Precise connectivity information for
each and every transformer is required
to accurately and quickly determine the
true extent and identification of all cus-
tomers affected by an outage.
MAPPING TRANSFORMER CONNECTIVITY
Traditionally, verifying transform-
er and phase connectivity has required
either visual tracing of overhead lines or
sending and receiving electrical signals
over the wire. All traditional methods
require considerable human resources.
Using robust machine learning techniques,
patented algorithms have been developed
to accurately determine meter phase con-
nectivity and physical meter-to-transformer
connectivity using voltage measurements
from customers smart meters to determine
an assets location.
These algorithms use the normally
occurring voltage fluctuations at each
meter as a signal to identify friend vs.
stranger, in a manner of speaking. The
voltage monitored by every meter chang-
es as a consequence of one of three types
of events:
Turning on or off a load at the premise
that the meter monitors. Turning on
an electric oven, for example, causes
a slight decrease in premise voltage.
Turning on or off a load at a neigh-
boring premise. If an electric oven is
turned on in one premise, the slight
decrease in voltage is felt by all meters
connected to the same transformer.
Switching a device on the primary side
of the transformer, such as a capacitor
bank switching in or out, or a voltage
regulator adjusting primary voltage.
The meter-to-transformer connectivi-
ty discovery method relies on correlat-
ing five-minute time series of voltage
changes between any two meters within
September 2017 | 21
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9/6/17 8:53 AM
 a user-settable limit, typically 1,000 to
3,000 feet. The correlation is conducted
on a daily basis for a minimum of seven
Number of Separate- Transformer Meter Pairs
days, and the results evaluated to either
confirm or reject the identity of each
meters parent transformer. Where such
identity is rejected, an alternate identity
is indicated that is the more likely parent
transformer.
MEASURING AFFINITY
The advanced grid connectivity algo-
rithms exploit the fact that a voltage
change caused by switching a load at a
premise is felt by most meters that are
connected to the same transformer. By
correlating each meters voltage changes
to those of all other meters that are with-
in a reasonable radius (approximately
1,000 feet), therefore, grid operators can
distinguish meters on the same trans-
former that show the same, simultaneous
voltage change, from meters on other
transformers that do not show any simul-
taneous change.
Because interval data timing is impre-
cise, identifying actual connectivity
requires collecting and correlating a
sufficiently large number
of voltage changes
in order to use
statistics-based
approaches to minimize
error. This method uses a
quantitative measure, affini-
ty, which characterizes the
degree to which two meters
experience the same local
voltage changes. The degree
22 | September 2017
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1709pg_22 22
FIGURE 1: Distribution of Affinity of all meter connections under the same or under
separate transformers
Distribution of 187,578 Bilateral Meter Affinities
Number of Same- Transformer Meter Pairs
Affinity between any Meter Pair
Meters on Separate Transformers Meters on Same Transformer
to which affinity between FIGURE 2: Home vs. Away Affinity of 597 ServicePoints
any two meters varies
helps in determining
meter-to-transformer
connectivity.
The orange curve in Home Affinity
Figure 1 shows the dis-
tribution of affinities CL)
95%
between meters con- tin
(no
rea
nected to different trans- rey
A
G
formers. The blue curve
in this figure shows the
Away Affinity
distribution of affinities
between meters on the same transformer. x-axis. Note the nearly complete sepa-
The number of combinations is shown ration of affinity ranges between same
on the left or right vertical axis respec- transformer and different transform-
tively, and the affinity for each er meter pairs. For each individual
combination is shown on the meter, the analytic process calculates
affinities with every other meter that
utility records indicate is on the same
transformer. The highest such affinity
is called home affinity. For the same
meter, affinities are then calculated with
every meter not on the same transformer,
within a configurable distancesuch as
1,000 to 3,000 feet. The highest such
affinity is called away affinity.
If home affinity is higher than away
affinity, the utility-supplied connectivity
data for the subject meter is validated as
correct. If the away affinity is greater than
the home affinity, the utilitys connectiv-
ity data is likely wrong for this meter.
9/6/17 8:53 AM
 Transformer Connectivity
Electric meters are connected to secondary distribution transformers to
reduce distribution high voltage to safe levels for households. There are by comparing meter voltage to that of
many transformers of different capacities along distribution lines, both neighboring meters and find misplaced
underground and overhead. The choice of which transformer a meter is or misfiled meters.
connected to is dictated by physical proximity as well as by optimal loading Performing analytics on smart meter
Number of Same Transformer Meter Pairs

of transformer capacity. This connection between an individual meter and a data without accurate and timely knowl-
distribution transformer is known as transformer connectivity. edge of meter-to-transformer or meter-
to-phase connectivity is like finding your
way with an out-of-date map. Advanced
Furthermore, the transformer to which the correct home for the subject meter. grid connectivity algorithms are like the
the meter with the highest affinity is con- GPS for smart grid analytics, allowing
nected indicates the most likely correct IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE utilities to accurately and timely track
transformer for the subject meter. CONNECTIVITY meter locations in relation to the trans-
Figure 2 shows a sample of 597 meters Accurate meter-to-transformer con- formers that serve them.
whose home affinity is shown on the nectivity as well as meter-to-phase is
Y-axis and the away affinity on the essential to enable a truly smart grid. It
X-Axis. All meters in the top left half of allows utilities to analyze each line seg- Robert Sonderegger is a
the figure have correct connectivity as ment from meter to feeder for revenue director and software engi-
neering advisor at Itron. He is
stated, while the 10 percent of meters in assurance and theft detection, and to
responsible for technical lead-
the bottom right half are clearly miscon- gain valuable insight into their distribu- ership, software innovation
nected. For any one meter in this group, tion systems. Utilities can detect power and advanced technology.
its away affinity on the x-axis points to theft and high-impedance connections

Go to pgi.hotims.com for more information.

September 2017 | 23
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1709pg_23 23 9/6/17 8:53 AM

 BY CJ PARISI AND SIRI VARADAN, ABB ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE

Recognizing a Tiger
Teaching Machines to Learn and Prevent Asset Failure
I magine youre walking through a jungle
populated with all kinds of wild animals
and have only heard of, but never seen, a
tiger. For your safety, you need to know how
to identify a tiger and take evasive action to
avoid becoming its next meal. If someone
told you a tiger has four legs, pointed ears, a
long tail and whiskers, theres a good chance
youd be frightened if a common cat crossed
your pathand while your attention was
on the cat, the tiger might sneak up on you.
There is much difference between a common
cat and a tiger, but not until youve seen and
compared both can you process the differ-
ences and learn to recognize one from the
other. Its a simplistic example, but it high-
lights the critical nuances of learning. The
same is true of machine learning: if you want
a computer to distinguish a tiger from a cat, actions. Just like the stroller in the jungle, create a system that could then produce
it must have the right parameters or features the solution must process normal data automated decisions. Even with a full
that uniquely define a cat and a tiger. operations to recognize the comparative team of experts, it took several months
That might sound a bit counterintui- view of data indicating potential risk. to develop a first principles-based model
tive; after all, the widely-accepted defi- ABBs 30 plus years of history creating to predict the probability of failure. In
nition of machine learning from pioneer industrial software provided data models todays dynamic and fast-paced business,
Arthur Samuel says that the computer for operationally sound assets, which companies rarely can dedicate that kind
can learn without being explicitly pro- the company used as a foundation for the of time to creating a single asset model.
grammed. The key lies in the word analytical software solution. This is where machine learning excels.
explicitly, because when it comes to
learning, neither machine nor human LEARNING EXTENDS INITIAL INTELLIGENCE MACHINE LEARNINGNOT NEW,
can start from nothing. ABB held a lot of transformer data BUT NEWLY EMPOWERED
from not only ABB transformers, but also Machine learning, along with other
EXPERT SYSTEMS START WITH EXPERTS from other vendors such as GE/Alstom, branches of artificial intelligence, is not
Lets consider how human knowledge Waukesha and others. When developing a new discipline. It started in the 1950s
leads to machine learning. An analytical its power transformer data models, there- with work from famous pioneers like
software solution that ABB has worked fore, it had a lot of useful information to Alan Turing and the previously-men-
on for several years, ABB Ability Asset build the foundation. The transformer tioned Arthur Samuel. Today, because
Health Center, uses data gathered from health model was carefully crafted by of advances in computing speed and
industrial assets to predict potential translating and codifying experience and the availability of accessible intelligence
risk of failure and determine remedial best practices from domain experts to platforms like Microsoft Cortana, this

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 field is rapidly gaining popularity and its
adoption is growing exponentially.
Expert models and machine learning
are not mutually exclusive techniques
choosing one does not mean you must give
up the other. In fact, machine learning is
an excellent choice to supplement expert
knowledge and accelerate model develop-
ment. Nevertheless, machine learning is
not simply throwing data into the machine
to see what sticks. For the machine to
learn effectively, it must first be guided by
domain expertise. That same expertise is
ultimately required to refine the model.
IS THERE A TIGER IN THE
TRANSFORMER? THE PARTIAL
DISCHARGE EXPERIMENT
Predicting and preventing industrial
asset failure is core to asset health. In
essence, you must recognize signs that can
be safely ignored (cat) and those for con-
cern (tiger). In ABBs Asset Health Center,
we decided to see whether we could use
machine learning to teach our transformer
model to recognize imminent failure based
on partial discharge (PD) data. PD was
chosen because it can be remotely moni-
tored while the transformer is in service,
which means that no planned outages or
interruption to service is required while
data is being collected. The goal was to
predict an unhealthy state with enough
advanced warning, so that corrective action
could be taken before asset failure.
We knew that PD damages insulation
and PD activity spikes immediately before
failures. We didnt know, however,
whether there are patterns in PD activity
in the months, days and hours leading
up to a failure that could serve as an early
warning indicator. Nor did we know
what is the typical pattern of PD activity
announcing an imminent failure or how
far in advance this pattern appears?
1709pg_25 25
We used PD data collected from six trans-
formers connected to Qualitrol transformer
monitoring systems. For more than a year, a
measurement was taken every five minutes.
Each measurement included data from six
couplers placed on each transformer, with
each coupler producing 64 data points. For
this test, we looked at the number of PD
events and the peak PD magnitude detect-
ed. To train the model, cross-validation
was used where five of the transformers
did the training and the sixth did vali-
dation. Then to confirm the results, the
process cycled six times, rotating through
each transformer for validation.
Even with a full team of experts, it took several
months to develop a first principles-based
model to predict the probability of failure.
INITIAL RESULTS INDICATE A
POTENTIAL TO SAVE MILLIONS
The right data is essential in learning,
and learning, as demonstrated by the
cat and tiger example, is the ability to
discriminate. Had black stripes been
a descriptor data point, we would not
have ruled out all cats, but it would have
narrowed the field. Add three-inch teeth
and the distinct meow and that might
have done it. The same holds true with
machine learningthe more unique fea-
tures used in the training process, the
smarter the machine becomes.
In the PD experiment, all the data
gathered was fed into a neural network to
process and identify patterns leading up
to failures. Three instances of failure in the
dataset were detecteda small sample for
teaching a model to recognize failure and
generalize to all failures. Even with the
less-than-ideal data, however, there was
enough PD activity information for the
neural network to learn patterns and warn
of impending failure up to eight hours in
advancean amount of time that could
prevent the loss of millions of dollars of
equipment. This was encouraging because
we can only expect further improvement
in identifying and classifying incipient
faults as the model is refined and the data-
set grows larger and more diverse.
EXPLORING A NEW JUNGLE
Machine learning, as with all learning,
is a synthesis of foundational knowledge.
In other words, learning can take place
only by building upon base knowledge;
and, the stronger the base knowledge,
or in this case the data models, the faster
and more efficiently machines can learn
to discern. Without the available history
and domain knowledge used for building
the PD asset health data models, time
would have been wasted analyzing and
mapping irrelevant data sets and algo-
rithms, and we might never have come to
these conclusions. In the jungle of asset
management, finding tigersrecogniz-
ing impending asset failuresis a matter
of knowing the right combination of
warning signs.
Siri Varada leads R&D product
management and activities
related to data analytics at ABB
Enterprise Software.
CJ Parisi is chief data scientist
with ABB Enterprise Software.
He has 22 years of experience
developing and delivering utili-
ty and mining software, provid-
ing both operational and reporting solutions.
September 2017 | 25
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9/6/17 8:53 AM
 BY MICHAEL LIPPERT, SAFT

Finding the Energy Storage Sweet Spot

Key steps must be followed to find the optimum sized megawatt-scale
Li-ion energy storage system for a large wind or solar plant.
A megawatt-scale lithium-ion (Li-ion) energy storage FIGURE 1: Comparison of PV generation (red) and ramp rate controlled
system (ESS) can be vital in successful grid integration of output to the grid (blue)
a large wind or solar plant by addressing the intermittency
and unpredictability inherent in renewable energy. The
challenge, however, is sizing the ESS for maximum oper-
ational and financial benefit. This is because an ESS can
have several distinct roles, and only by understanding its
role and the specifics of its site can engineers specify the
right ESS for the job.

RAMP RATE CONTROL

Grid operators often must limit the rate of change at
which power is injected into the gridthe ramp rate. The
output of a photovoltaic (PV) array of several megawatts
FIGURE 2: Smoothing of PV production in 30 minute forecast steps
can drop by 70 to 80 percent in about a minute. The ESS,
therefore, must discharge in a way that ramps the net
facility output down smoothly over seven or eight minutes
(Figure 1). The ESS can absorb or release energy when a
sudden shift in wind or passing cloud causes a step change
in output. Ramp rate control ensures that the facility ramps
at a rate that is compatible with the power system. This
is particularly true for island grids, because they lack the
inertia of mainland networks and are susceptible to disrup-
tion, which could be caused by simultaneous uncontrolled
ramping of several renewable facilities.
The ESS will experience many small charge and dis-
charge cycles. Over the day, the cumulative energy charged
and discharged in 24 hours, known as throughput, can FIGURE 3: Shaping ensures a stable power output with controlled ramping
amount to around two to three multiples of the capacity of up and down in the morning and evening
the ESS (2C to 3C).
Typically, a 10 MW solar farm would be combined with
an ESS capable of delivering 5 MW of power and storing
1.3 MWh of energy. The facility would operate at an average
depth of discharge (DOD) of 6 percent and a cumulated
daily energy throughput of 2.5 MWh, which is equivalent to
1.9 times the capacity (1.9C).
In contrast, wind generation generally varies at lower

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 amplitudes so a typical 10 MW wind farm could FIGURE 4: Peak shaving can avoid the risk of curtailment
be equipped with a 2.5 MW ESS, delivering 0.58
MWh energy storage. It would operate at an aver-
age DOD of 4 percent with a cumulated daily ener-
gy throughput of 1.9 MWh, or 3.2C.

SMOOTHING
Smoothing aims to keep production within a
given forecast window. The ESS compensates for
power sags and, like ramp rate control, it will
experience many small to medium charge and
discharge cycles with a cumulated energy through-
put equivalent to several full charge and discharge
cycles (Figure 2).
FIGURE 5: Frequency regulation allows ESS to inject or absorb active power
POWER SHAPING to or from the grid
Power shaping uses an ESS to shape the power
output of a plant to deliver steady and predictable
power like baseline generation (Figure 3).
An ESS used for a typical PV farm in this mode
will deliver a large discharge in the morning, before
charging up during peak daylight hours in the mid-
dle of the day and discharging again later in the day.
A typical example for shaping of a 10 MW solar power
plant would be an ESS providing 5 MW power and 10
MWh energy. The average DOD would be 35 percent,
with a daily energy throughput of 7 MWh, or 0.7C.

PEAK SHAVING
Peak shaving is intended to reduce congestion on the
grid at peak times (Figure 4). It is mostly used to reduce
load in periods of high consumption. For example,
the ESS discharges to supply consumption peaks, thus
relieving the grid from supplying peak power.
The technique is also possible on the supply
side. For example, the ESS charges (absorbs energy)
when the PV or wind plants power exceeds a set
limit. It releases energy into the grid later in the day
once the peak has subsided. It thereby ensures that
the output of a plant never goes beyond an agreed
limit and avoids revenue loss through curtailment.
In both cases, peak shaving avoids or defers
investments in grid infrastructure that would other-
wise be necessary to cope with peaks in consump-
tion or generation.
FREQUENCY REGULATION
Frequency regulation ensures grid stability by injecting or absorbing
active power to keep the frequency inside its limits (Figure 5). In doing
so, the ESS helps the grid accommodate more renewable sources.
The operational profile of the ESS will depend on the number and
amplitude of grid frequency deviations. Typically, deviations are of short
duration and only infrequently at full amplitude. Operational character-
istics of the ESS can vary considerably depending on the specific appli-
cation and location, especially the distribution of discharge cycles at each
power level.
Frequently, operators request that the ESS associated with wind or
solar plants also provide frequency regulation services on top of its initial
smoothing or shaping function. Furthermore, fast reacting energy storage
enables renewable plants to effectively contribute to frequency regulation
services.

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 DEVELOPING AN ENERGY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An energy management system (EMS)
must be developed to determine the
optimum size for an ESS. An EMS con-
siders inputs such as a site-specific PR or
wind survey, knowledge of ESS perfor-
mance and grid requirements (Figure 6).
Site specific inputs include grid code
limitations and local legislation, as
well as measured data on wind or solar
power output. Its important to use
high resolution survey results from
the actual site over a period of sev-
eral months, ideally a full year. This
accounts for local geography and vari-
ability to achieve accurate sizing of
the ESS, which in turn achieves better
financial performance.
FIGURE 6: Energy management system development requires several inputs
The second set of inputs is the cus- Output requirements

tomers objectives for the plants power Level of power fluctuation Optimization
Max power output
output. This is basically the mode of Droop of frequency regulation Power injected
Voltage control Operation profile Power lost
operation, which can include one or Inertia Power consumed
Power plant Efficiency
more of the roles previously explained Storage systems parameters Auxiliaries
Revenues
and their precise technical parameters Energy Penalties
Discharge power over SOC Life time
and limits, as well as economic variables. Charge power over SOC EMS Capex
Calendar ageing Operation profile Opex
Finally, the battery supplier must con- Cycle ageing
Efficiency Energy storage system
tribute a deep understanding of ener-
PV/Wind integration
gy storage technology, including energy,
High resolution data
charge and discharge power capacities Site dependent
Sizing = optimizing Sizing = optimizing Sizing = optimizing
and the effect of aging on the battery
electrochemistry.
Combined with modelling, these fac- the optimum balance between revenues By minimizing temperature variation, the
tors determine the cost profile, which and costs during the installations entire cells and modules experience a constant
is made up of operating revenues and life time. rate of aging. In turn, this allows for pre-
penalties to balance lifetime costs, asset cise prediction of battery performance
lifetime costs, operating expenses and UNDERSTANDING BATTERY over its lifetime.
capital expenditures. PERFORMANCE Other important aspects are to ensure
Modelling is an iterative process that In addition to sizing the ESS correctly, accurate measurement of state of charge
starts with a first estimate of battery it is equally important to understand the (SOC), good SOC management and
specification that is combined with the factors that lead to high performance and high energy efficiency of the battery
other inputs to the EMS to deliver a cost a long and predictable life. system itself, as well as the power con-
profile. By repeating the process with a Good thermal management is the most verter and auxiliary systems such as
range of sizes, its possible to identify a crucial factor and ensures the tempera- cooling plant.
sweet spot, where the operator will find ture is consistent across the entire ESS. Together these extend ESS lifetime,

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 enhance performance and optimize the FIGURE 7: Schematic of 10 MW PV plant in Puerto Rico
total cost of ownership.
OPTIMUM ESS FOR PUERTO RICO
A 10 MW PV plant in Puerto Rico
successfully optimized an ESS (Figure 7).
The grid code required that ramp rates
be limited to no more than 10 percent in
output change per minute. In addition,
the operator required support to grid
frequency by up to 5 percent.
Modeling was used to identify the
optimum ESS as having 1.3 MWh ener-
gy storage capacity and 5 MW power
rating. Saft delivered a solution compris-
ing three Intensium Max 20 P high power
containerized systems. This balanced
Modeling is an iterative process that starts
with a first estimate of battery specification
that is combined with the other inputs to the
EMS to deliver a cost profile.
both the peak power and custom-
ers requirements. It also anticipated a
drop in power over the lifetime of the
ESS due to electrochemical aging. This
should ensure that the ESS will con-
tinue to meet the operators minimum
technical requirements even at the end
of its lifetime.
ENDESA GRAN CANARIAENSURING
SOC ALGORITHM ACCURACY
A 3 MW ESS has been installed on the
Spanish Island of Gran Canaria as part
of Endesas pioneering STORE (Storage
Technologies of Reliable Energy) project
to demonstrate how energy storage can
promote the integration of renewable
energy within utility networks.
A main aim of the STORE project is to
demonstrate the technical and economic
viability of large-scale energy storage,
1709pg_29 29
especially in facilitating the integration of
intermittent renewable generation within
power networks by making it both pre-
dictable and grid compatible.
Saft delivered a fully integrated turn-
key ESS based on three Intensium Max
20+ containerized systems. Together, the
three units deliver 3 MWh of power to
help smooth peak demands on substa-
tions and compensate for the intermittent
production of wind farms and PV installa-
tions, as well as deliver ancillary services
to control network frequency and voltage.
The project has confirmed that a SOC
algorithm (developed by Saft for its bat-
tery management system) corresponds well
with the measured energy integration.
THE ACCURACY OF THE SOC
ALGORITHM CONTRIBUTES TO:
Effective cell balancing
Effective use of capacity to generate
revenue
Permanent operation at partial SOC
without need for a maintenance charge
Laboratory tests on a small (56 kWh)
battery established a DC roundtrip effi-
ciency averaging 97 percent and better
than 95.5 percent for any power rate.
This stability at different power rates
ensures consistent performance. Field
testing on the 3 MWh ESS confirmed
the efficiency, showing that performance
and functionalities measured on small
systems represent full scale operation.
Owners and operators of power plants
must have complete confidence that their
ESS is consistent, predictable and the
right size. To achieve this, they must
recognize that ESS operational profiles
are complex and multi-functional and
sizing is an iterative process involving the
battery and EMS.
Michael Lippert is mar-
keting and business devel-
opment manager for Safts
Energy Storage Business.
He holds a degree in Euro-
pean business studies in
France and Germany and has been working
for more than 20 years in different international
sales and marketing positions at Saft focusing
on railway, traction and stationary markets. His
current responsibilities cover strategic and oper-
ational marketing for industrial battery markets,
in particular market and product development
for renewable energies and smart grids.
September 2017 | 29
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9/6/17 8:54 AM
 BY ROD WALTON, SENIOR EDITOR
Taking Charge
California Event Shows Potential of Energy Storage
A recent project in California may be the
first of its kindat least in the U.S.
in which large-scale batteries actually fired
up a generator to restore grid operations
without a power feed from the transmis-
sion network or backup source, the utility
announced earlier this summer.
In May, the Imperial Irrigation Districts
(IID) new energy storage system provided
the electricity needed to get its 44-MW
combined-cycle natural gas turbine
going at the El Centro station. This is a
big deal in the expansion of energy stor-
age capabilities, proponents say.
From where I sit and what I know,
Im not aware of anybody else able and
willing to do so, said Mirko Molinari,
manager of distributed energy resource
development for GE Power, one of the
partners in the IID energy storage proj-
ect. It was not a simple task.
Energy storage systems play several roles
within the grid connection, from load
following to load smoothing to frequency
regulation. Now, at least in this case and
likely others to follow, it can play a startup
30 | September 2017
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1709pg_30 30
role before converting back to absorbing
power from the functioning grid.
The biggest question is whether this is a
game changer, said Matt Roberts, vice pres-
ident of the Washington, D.C.-based Energy
Storage Association. No, but its one of the
new value streams this system can deliver.
Juggling all of those streams is exceeding-
ly complex, GEs Molinari pointed out.
Software and control systems must wade
through all the immediate and intermit-
tent inputs of a grid system which is pro-
cessing flow from renewables as well as
facing resiliency
challenges once
a gap develops in
electron flow.
IIDs energy stor-
age system went
online in October
2016. The part-
ners in the project
include Coachella
Energy Storage
Partners LLC, ZGlobal Inc. and GE Energy
Connections (now part of GE Power).
Historically, an operative grid would
be restarted by a backup diesel generator
or some other form of generation, giving
the main turbine time to get going again
and synchronize and keep frequency
steady on the system.
The IID event proved that energy stor-
age essentially could jump start the sys-
tem. The process sounds something like
what happens to a car with a dead battery
but not exactly.
Turbines need to rotate at certain
speeds to generate the right frequency,
Molinari pointed out. If you have more
production than load, the frequency goes
up. If more load then production, fre-
quency does down.
You need to put the energy somewhere
to stabilize the grid, otherwise the fre-
quency goes up and down too much.
This reconciliation is crucial, of course,
because customers expect reliability from
their grid. The black start capability could
prove crucial because those same custom-
ers also want renewables and resiliency.
When you design the grid, you design
it to be reliable; when something goes
wrong, you go to resiliency, Roberts
noted. Storage plays a role on both sides
of those equations.
Some of utility-scale energy storages
biggest projects have come online in the
past year. GE and Southern California
Edison (SCE) put a unique battery-gas tur-
bine hybrid systemcalled the LM6000
Hybrid Electric Gas Turbineinto opera-
tion into generation units at Norwalk and
Rancho Cucamonga in March.
Black starting means not only that
energy storage gets deployed on the grid,
but that it can get the grid going again.
Industry insiders believe that is a huge
deal going forward.
Batteries degradate; the point is how
much and how do you use it, GEs
Molinari said. You need to be able to do
it in the context of the system and not
just batteries as a standalone.
9/6/17 8:54 AM
 BY TOM ROONEY AND BILL MORAN, TRC COMPANIES

Microgrids
ds
Mega-opportunity for Electric
Across North America, every week
seems to bring new proposals for micro-
gridsself-contained, neighborhood or
campus-sized energy delivery systems
that typically combine generation, often
renewable sources like wind and solar,
and energy storage.
Whether its to lower costs, go green
or bolster resiliency by creating a backup
Utilities
to the power grid, microgrids are gener-
ating interest and excitement throughout
the energy world, but with one signifi-
cant exception.
Traditional electric utilities might see
microgrids as a threat to their revenue
streams and, in big enough numbers,
their business models. The more cus-
tomers that sign up to use microgrids,
especially big-volume
g-volume and big-profit
entities like corporate
rate and institutional
campuses and industrial ial operation
operations, the
more utility executives might fear for
their bottom line and viability. Some
states are restructuring the tariffs that
regulate public utilities to foster develop-
ment of microgrids and use of distribut-
ed generation.

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 Microgrids dont have to be a threat
to utilities, but instead can be a major
opportunity, both as energy cost-savers
to consumers and a source of new reve-
nue for distribution utilities. This article
presents descriptions of microgrid proj-
ects in which TRC has been involved.
They help make the case that there
are promising upsides for utilities that
embrace microgrids.
One project that presents a wide
range of benefits microgrids can offer
includes PSEG Long Island. The utili-
ty won a $1 million grant to engineer
and design a microgrid for Huntington,
New York, a Long Island community
that experienced power outages during
severe storms for several years, includ-
ing an eight-day blackout following
Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
The Huntington community microg-
rid is designed to combine solar ener-
gy, a fuel cell, biogas from the towns
wastewater treatment plant, traditional
natural gas, and high-efficiency cen-
tral heat and power (CHP) to deliver
electricity and heat to local customers
and institutions. With its robust and
diverse mix of fuel sources, the micro-
grid is envisioned to provide energy to
Huntingtons town hall, hospital, YMCA,
senior center and wastewater treatment
plant, as well as other customers. In a
future major weather event that causes
a utility power failure, the microg-
rid would activate instantaneously to
ensure heat and power are available at
key municipal facilities and designated
emergency shelters, freeing up PSEG
Long Island resources to be applied to
outage restoration resources elsewhere.
32 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_32 32
WHY MICROGRIDS ARE
GOOD FOR UTILITIES
There are two main reasons microgrids
can work for utilities and not against
them. First, to be economically feasible,
a microgrids generation must provide
savings over current retail energy tariffs.
Increased reliability and resiliency come
at a cost, however, and someone must
pay that cost. To justify passing costs
along to consumers, those costs must be
offset by improved power quality and a
substantial reduction in unplanned cus-
tomer outages. What generally clinches
the economic incentives for constructing
a microgrid are the efficiencies created
by energy storage, CHP systems, and,
in places with abundant wind and solar
potential and renewable energy incen-
tives, lower generation costs.
Microgrids that incorporate renewable
generation often include energy stor-
age systems that provide benefits to the
grid in terms of frequency and voltage
stabilization. These storage systems also
can serve as a source of reserve power
to reduce peak demands on substations
and the bulk power transmission sys-
tem. In addition, microgrids with energy
storage provide a means of dispatching
renewable energy at the times it is most
needed independent of the daily cycles of
sun and wind.
When it comes to an undertaking
as complex as designing, installing and
maintaining a microgrid, many custom-
ers will be just as eager to turn those
tasks over to a large, capable utility as
they are to turn over payroll, office infor-
mation technology and telecommunica-
tions services to large, capable providers
in tthose fields. Most customers, even
large industrial ones, dont want to be in
the po
power business, and they shouldnt
be. ThThey simply want to lower their
energy costs
c while improving reliability.
Utility ow
ownership of microgrids allow
customers to accomplish these goals in
customer
a way that incorporates new technology
while maintaining the traditional utility
model as a distributor of energy to the
customer.
Secondly, microgrids are also prov-
ing to be helpful for utilities to reduce
the costs of maintaining reliable service.
For example, San Diego Gas & Electric
(SDG&E) struggled for years to main-
tain service during lightning strikes and
desert flash floods to 2,800 customers
in Borrego Springs, California, which
was served by a single radial transmis-
sion line through the desert. Installing
a microgrid in 2009 and 2010, which
combined diesel generators, rooftop
solar and utility scale battery storage,
has been a cost-effective way to keep
power running, especially for emergency
cooling shelters. The SDG&E project
is seamlessly meshed with a portion of
the existing utility distribution system
to augment and relieve demand on peak
demand days, and to operate autono-
mously through a widespread outage.
As microgrid technology, reliability and
costs improve, utilities and regulators see
that microgrids can be a cost-effective
alternative to transmission upgrades or
redundancy. In addition, they can deliver
utility-scale benefits, such as supporting
smart grid deployments and lowering
line loss in challenging service areas.
In years to come, we can see customized
9/6/17 9:06 AM
 deployments of microgrids becoming an
increasingly popular, proven alternative
to conventional transmission and dis-
tribution upgrades. In states that have
restructured utilities to separate power
generation from energy delivery, laws
must be amended to clarify how much
generation, in the context of a microgrid,
a restructured utility is allowed to own,
and when utilities are allowed to install
microgrids outside their home service
territories, such as to serve a multi-loca-
tion customer. These changes are simply
negotiations, however, not deal-killers.
At the highest level, utility business
models are already evolving, as they
must. A process of redefining what util- this business model both for utilities and
ity, grid and generation mean in the microgrid customers. Utilities and
the context of 2017 energy delivery is
Microgrids that incorporate renewable
generation often include energy storage
systems that provide benefits to the grid in
terms of frequency and voltage stabilization.
1709pg_33 33
already underway thanks to thousands of
residential customers installing rooftop
PV. Microgrids are simply the next wave
of that redefinition. The distribution sys-
tem, once a linear one-way pipeline
from substation to customer is being
transformed into a bidirectional system
connecting a network of energy custom-
ers and producers much in the way the
bulk power transmission system present-
ly works. Utilities must revise their busi-
ness model to reflect these foundational
changes and extract revenue based on
providing the capacity to transmit power
as opposed to a flat cost of energy to
consumers. Time of day rates are key to
portfolio of multifamily and commercial and in-
regulators are well into working through
how to price the value those customers
will place on maintaining a connection
to the utility grid.
The opportunity to deploy projects that
serve customers and rationalize network
reliability make the upgrade costs associ-
ated microgrids worth the mega-oppor-
tunity they provide electric utilities.
Tom Rooney, LEED AP,
has more than 20 years
experience in the energy
industry focusing on de-
sign, management and
evaluation of energy effi-
ciency programs. He is a
vice president in TRCs Energy Services group,
overseeing the technical components of TRCs
dustrial energy efficiency programs. Rooney is
involved in design and management of state-
wide efficiency programs for the New Hamp-
shire Public Utilities Commission, Efficiency
Maine, the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy,
and the New York State Energy Research & De-
velopment Authority (NYSERDA). Tom recently
finished his tenure as a charter member of the
Standards Technical Committee of the Build-
ing Performance Institute (BPI). He is a Certified
Energy Manager. Contact Rooney at trooney@
trcsolutions.com.
Bill Moran, is a senior
electrical engineer in
TRCs Power Delivery
Engineering Practice. He
has more than 35 years
experience in electrical
power generation and
distribution, including design, construction
and operation of large campus type power
distribution systems,ranging in size from 1 MW
to 25 MW. Morans experience with distributed
generation sources range from single diesel
and natural gas fueled reciprocating en-
gine-generators to multi-megawatt dual fuel
gas turbines and steam turbines in combined
cycle operation. He also has managed con-
struction and commissioning of wind energy
projects up to 100 MW in capacity. Contact
Morman at wmoran@trcsolutions.com.
September 2017 | 33
www.power-grid.com
9/6/17 9:06 AM
 PRODUCTS
Threat Analytics Platform
Waterfall Security Solutions
has partnered with FireEye
Inc., the intelligence-led secu-
rity company, to integrate the
FireEye cloud-based threat
analytics platform (TAP) with industrial networks using
Waterfalls unidirectional CloudConnect. This joint solution
enables FireEye customers to monitor and protect their
industrial control system (ICS) networks using the cloud-
based Helix service, while eliminating the threat of remote
cyberattacks entering the monitored ICS environment.
Industrial businesses that previously refrained from using
any cloud or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) services due
to security concerns, can now remain confident that their
ICS networks are safe from external cyber risks.
The unidirectional CloudConnect product is based on
Waterfalls patented unidirectional gateway technology,
which physically prevents cyberattacks from entering into
an industrial network.
Waterfall Security Solutions
GO TO WWW.PGIHOTIMS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
Panelboard Barriers
Schneider Electric introduced Fingersafe
IP2X per IEC 60529 Barriers for NQ Lighting
and Appliance Panelboards. Designed
with service professionals safety in mind,
Fingersafe, which provides plastic barriers
that cover main lugs or main and branch breakers, prevents
workers from touching electrical parts, reducing the risk
of accidental contact with energized components. U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics cites electrocution as one of the
top four causes of construction industry deaths. Exposure
to electricity kills more than 150 U.S. workers annually.
Fingersafe IP2X barriers are designed to prevent people
from accessing hazardous parts with a finger, and provide
improved protection from accidental contact when working
on energized equipment. The barriers increase electrical
workers ability to comply with OSHA CFR 1910.333(a)(1)
and make main breakers compliant with UL 67 2017 Service
Entrance standards.
Schneider Electric
GO TO WWW.PGIHOTIMS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
34 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_34 34
Megawatt-Scale Energy Storage Solution
Northern Power Systems Corp. now offers a full suite of
megawatt-scale energy storage solutions that incorporate
various battery types and capabilities, depending on the
application and end-user need. In addition to providing
multiple battery options, Northern Power, backed by
decades of turnkey systems experience, can integrate its
own field-proven power conversion and control hardware
to deliver the optimum energy storage system. The com-
pany has already qualified and begun integrating batteries
from three industry-leading suppliers with different chem-
istries for a variety of use cases, and anticipates adding to
this list of qualified solutions: UniEnergy Technologies
vanadium-redox flow batteries; Eos Energy Storagezinc
hybrid batteries; and Samsung SDIlithium-ion batteries.
Northern Powers energy storage systems incorporate bat-
teries from these top-tier suppliers together with the com-
panys FlexPhase power conversion platform, controls,
battery management hardware and ancillary systems.
Northern Power Systems Corp.
GO TO WWW.PGIHOTIMS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
Shortwave Infrared Camera
Princeton Infrared Technologies Inc. (PIRT) announces
what it calls the worlds first and only MegaPixel (MP)
shortwave-infrared (SWIR) camera with no ITAR export
restrictions. The newest camera in Princeton Infrareds
family of SWIR imaging products to fall under the no ITAR
restrictions umbrella is the 1280SciCam, with a 1280 x 1024
image sensor on a 12 m pitch,
featuring long exposure times,
extremely low read noise, 14-bit
digital output, and full frame
rates up to 95 Hz. Designed for
advanced scientific and astron-
omy applications, the camera detects light from the vis-
ible to the SWIR (0.4. to 1.7 microns). It is available with a
variety of lens formats. PIRTs 1280SciCam and LineCam12
cameras are now classified by the Export Administration
Regulations as EAR 6A003.b.4.a for export.
Princeton Infrared Technologies
GO TO WWW.PGIHOTIMS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
9/6/17 9:06 AM
 DistribuTECH 2018: The industrys most comprehensive
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18 20

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DISTRIBUTECH 2018 ..................... 13
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REPRINTS
Rhonda Brown NERC Grid Security
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Pages/GridSecCon.aspx
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25 26
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ge.com/digital/minds-machines
San Francisco

September 2017| 35
www.power-grid.com

1709pg_35 35 9/6/17 9:06 AM


TALK
We expect to meet nearly
45 percent of our retail
customers energy needs
through noncarbon emitting
resources in the coming
years.
Terry Bassham, CEO of Great Plains Energy (parent of
KCP&L) during recent earnings call.
The electric power industry is
one of the great American success
stories and provides high-quality
jobs that empower our nations
economic growth. Behind every
wall outlet or light switch, there is
a dedicated workforce focused on
powering the lives of millions of
Americans who rely on electricity
for nearly everything they do.
Michael J. Bradley, whose company MJ Bradley &
Associates did a report indicating that the electric power
sector employs close to 2.7 million people and accounts for
close to one-fifth of the nations gross domestic product.
Energy storage has the
opportunity to be at the center of
this evolution, becoming the hub for
a more resilient, efficient, sustainable
and affordable grid. What could be
more exciting than that, at a time
like this?
Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of Energy Storage Association
36 | September 2017
www.power-grid.com
1709pg_36 36
PARTING THOUGHTS
TRENDS
The Department of Energy should launch a
program to manufacture and deploy flexible and
transportable three-phase recovery transformer sets
that can be prepositioned around the country.
National Academies, Enhancing the Resiliency of the Nations Electricity System
Indeed, millennials are far more likely than non-millennials to
have been in contact with their electricity provider within the
last six months. Millennials prefer digital communication (59
percent have used this channel in the last six months) but they
will also leverage telephone and in-person contact. They want
their interaction to be easy, so they will decide in the moment
which channel is most convenient.
Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative, Spotlight on Millennials report
Energy utilities possess a physical network with a
ubiquitous footprint underpinned by a data control
network. Most smart city visions call for one or both of
these network capabilities.
ScottMadden, The Smart City Opportunity for Utilities
TWEETS
Duke Energy bringing smart meters to Kentucky customers,
giving them more energy use control & bill payment options
@DukeEnergy
82,848 #EnergyEfficiency jobs in MA alone! Do you know how many EE jobs
are in your state? The answer might surprise you #cleanjobsamerica
@EfficiencyJobs
#Microgrid Islanding: S&C and Ameren show how
it works at Illinois microgrid
@SandC_US (S&C Electric)
#Utilities and grid firms like @AVANGRID @Exelon @insideFPL stepping
up with money & manpower vs. Harvey: http://bit.ly/2vF5DbA
@rodwaltonelp
9/6/17 9:06 AM
 COMING IN 2018 - SAVE THE DATE
19 -21
JUNE 2018
MESSE WIEN | VIENNA | AUSTRIA

BROUGHT TO YOU BY
POWER-GEN & DISTRIBUTECH

Submit a paper for LEADING THE

EVOLUTION
Electrify Europe visit the
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www.electrify-europe.com
to find out more
OF ELECTRICITY
Electrify Europe is the worlds first event dedicated to the convergence underway between the power generation
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electrification. It inspires thought leadership, collaboration, and innovation to transform the future of electricity.

To find out how you can engage with this exciting event, please visit www.electrify-europe.com or contact:

EUROPE NORTH AMERICA & CANADA

Leon Stone Jared Auld
T: +44 (0) 1992 656 671 T: +1(918) 831-9440
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Owned and Produced by: Presented by:

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information.

1709pg_C3 3 9/6/17 9:07 AM

 HEROIC.
Lets stop chasing reliability scores and start changing lives.

ITS TIME TO RAISE THE BAR FOR RELIABILITY.

LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT
WE HELP PROTECT YOUR SYSTEMAND ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT.
UIS NOSTRUD EXERCITATION ULLAMCO LABORIS NISI UT UIS NOSTRUD RIS
It takes courage to recognize that being reliable means more than limiting the sustained outages our industry currently tracks.
S&C believes in the power of real lights on reliability free of sustained and momentary outages. The kind of high-quality,
uninterrupted power that customers everywhere can count on no matter what, especially in critical situations when it matters
most. From innovative products that promote a more resilient grid to world-renowned energy storage solutions, were taking the
notion of reliability to another level: the highest one.

Plan for perfect power with S&C, the worldwide leader in reliability.

See the difference at sandc.com/heroic

Go to pgi.hotims.com for more information. S &C Electric Company 2017. All rights reserved.

1709pg_C4 4 9/6/17 9:07 AM