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Achieving High Penetrations of PV by Roger Hill

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Sandia National Laboratories: Energy & Climate: Renewables
Sandia National Laboratories: Energy & Climate: Renewables

The document summarizes a workshop focused on achieving high penetrations of photovoltaic (PV) systems in utility distribution systems. It discusses operational and technical issues with high PV penetration, updating interconnection rules and standards, and identifying best practices. The workshop aims to describe the effects of high PV on utilities, discuss interconnection standards and processes, and address challenges in managing distributed PV variability through technology advancements and research.

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Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System Photos placed in horizontal position with even amount of white space Roger Hill between photos and header Principal Member of Technical Staff Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Sandia National Laboratories rrhill@sandia.gov Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System The Department of Energy, EPRI, Sandia and NREL have joined forces in this workshop. It will focus on PV systems operating in the utility system:  Operational issues  Update interconnection rules and regulatory actions  Address PV lessons learned from high penetration scenarios  Identify best practices for distributed generation problem mitigation  Discuss technology advancements.
The Learning Objectives Are to:  Describe how high penetrations of PV will affect the utility system, its design and operation  Discuss national interconnection standards and codes, efforts and latest best practices on PV interconnection regulations from around the country  Explain utility information needs, processes, and procedures for connecting PV systems to the grid  Discuss inverter manufacturer hardware, firmware and software requirements in light of changing interconnection codes and standards  Describe research and updated procedures for interconnection of PV on distribution feeders and transmission  Solicit feedback to identify additional issues, approaches and recommendations for future actions
Regulatory Landscape for High Penetration PV in the Distribution System (Roger Hill, SNL - moderator)  Updating Interconnection Screens and Standards (Mike Coddington, NREL)  California PUC Rule 21 and Hawaii PUC Rule 14H (Kevin Fox, IREC)  California Solar Initiative RD&D Work Effort (Kristen Nicole, EPRI)  Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings (Roger Hill, SNL)  Moderated Discussion
Challenges and Issues for Interconnecting High Penetrations of PV on the Distribution System (Kevin Fox, IREC - moderator) Overview of Key Challenges and Mitigation Options for Utilities in Managing Distributed PV – Managing PV Variability (Robert Broderick, SNL)  Understanding and Addressing High-penetration PV Issues Through Analysis of PV Integration in Florida Utility Circuits (Rick Meeker, FSU)  Case Study Examples Illustrating Modeling of PV for Distribution Planning and Analysisdeling PV on Distribution Systems (Jeff Smith, EPRI)  Integrating Renewable Energy in PJM (Kenneth Schuyler, PJM Interconnection  Moderated Discussion
Technology Advancements in Power Electronics and Advanced Inverter Solutions (Kristen Nicole, EPRI - moderator)  Monitoring and Visualization Efforts for PV and Distribution Systems (Jason Bank- NREL)  Looking Ahead – EPRI R&D – Advanced Technologies to Manage and Integrate Distributed PV (Aminul Huque, EPRI)  Updating National Interconnection Standards for Advanced Inverter Capabilities (David Bassett, Consultant)  Advanced Grid Integration Features, (Carl Lennox, SunPower Corporation)  Moderated Discussion
Concluding Discussion (Co-moderated by Hill and Coddington)  Remaining Issues  Desired Outcomes  Recommendations  Actionable items
Achieving High Penetrations of PV by Roger Hill
Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings  On February 16 SEIA petitioned FERC for a rulemaking  The PV market has made great progress with many thousands of systems installed  The issues are not necessarily new but with increased system penetration they become more pronounced  The DOE program has been working on the issues  On July 17, FERC held a technical conference
Sandia’s Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Program Areas - Integrated Inverters, - Inverter, systems Controllers performance models - Microgrid architectures Testing, - Lab-based - Micro-electronics Evaluation, characterization - Thin Wafers R&D - New lab capabilities - In-line diagnostics Characterization (e.g. array simulator) - CPV systems - etc - System Reliability - Grid Integration/Storage - New systems - Building integration and configurations energy management - Grid penetration - SEGIS Applications - Market Transformation Development, - Direct industry support Market Barriers Support - Benchmarking/field T&E Non-hardware BOS - Analyses - Information Products www.sandia.gov/pv publications
Market Transformation -Soft Costs Market Transformation promotes the commercialization of solar technologies by addressing non-technical issues that act as barriers to the adoption of solar energy technologies. The Market Transformation effort identifies and prioritizes significant barriers beyond traditional "cost" issues and develops specific activities and external partnerships to address those barriers. Goals: To Objectives: To Inform Increase Market DOD Policy and Energy Penetration Surety Regulatory Environment Interconnection Developer PV Market Utility Value Workshops Installation Risks & & Inspection Insurance Solar in Utility Portfolio Information Products Structural Visual Regulator Technical Water Resource Codes Impacts Training Assistance Issues Regulatory/Policy
Technical Issues Identified  There is a need for transparent rules, provide a clear predictable path to interconnection for DG  “Difficult to obtain, let alone understand, the rigorous technical justification for 1. Certain per- circuit limits, 2. Process and timeline for processing interconnection studies, and basis for interconnection upgrade requirements mandated by individual utilities, a gap in the regulatory system.”
Technical Issues Identified  The 15% rule is overly conservative  100% of minimum daytime load  Transmission providers must make peak and minimum load data available  Increase size threshold for fast track from 2 MW to 10 MW  Expedited review by third party experts
Technical Issues Identified  Large numbers of installations is proof changes not needed, not a barrier  Need for modeling, standard load profiles, minimum load data , transfer to smart metering, and smart grid, comparable access to basic information for wholesale market access  Include CA settlement test-- CA Settlement includes Supplemental review that includes a Penetration Test, Power Quality and Voltage Fluctuation test, and safety and reliability test as part of a supplemental review
Technical Issues Identified  Variable operations of solar  NARUC --maintain state jurisdiction, takes costs and resources for minimum load data  Don’t wait for IEEE standards to address interconnection issues  Queuing as an issue  PGE advises caps by voltage of lines rough estimate of 15% applied
Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings  Rural areas less robust grid  Technical conference  Pre-application process  Transactional costs  Varying line capacity by differing voltages
Other Technical Issues  Distribution automation  Load switching  Flicker  Static system voltage levels  Utility system protection  Islanding detection  Fault current contribution  Voltage and current harmonic distortion issues,  Stability issues  Automatic transfer  Customer owned transformer design

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Achieving High Penetrations of PV by Roger Hill

  • 1. Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System Photos placed in horizontal position with even amount of white space Roger Hill between photos and header Principal Member of Technical Staff Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Sandia National Laboratories rrhill@sandia.gov Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
  • 2. Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System The Department of Energy, EPRI, Sandia and NREL have joined forces in this workshop. It will focus on PV systems operating in the utility system:  Operational issues  Update interconnection rules and regulatory actions  Address PV lessons learned from high penetration scenarios  Identify best practices for distributed generation problem mitigation  Discuss technology advancements.
  • 3. The Learning Objectives Are to:  Describe how high penetrations of PV will affect the utility system, its design and operation  Discuss national interconnection standards and codes, efforts and latest best practices on PV interconnection regulations from around the country  Explain utility information needs, processes, and procedures for connecting PV systems to the grid  Discuss inverter manufacturer hardware, firmware and software requirements in light of changing interconnection codes and standards  Describe research and updated procedures for interconnection of PV on distribution feeders and transmission  Solicit feedback to identify additional issues, approaches and recommendations for future actions
  • 4. Regulatory Landscape for High Penetration PV in the Distribution System (Roger Hill, SNL - moderator)  Updating Interconnection Screens and Standards (Mike Coddington, NREL)  California PUC Rule 21 and Hawaii PUC Rule 14H (Kevin Fox, IREC)  California Solar Initiative RD&D Work Effort (Kristen Nicole, EPRI)  Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings (Roger Hill, SNL)  Moderated Discussion
  • 5. Challenges and Issues for Interconnecting High Penetrations of PV on the Distribution System (Kevin Fox, IREC - moderator) Overview of Key Challenges and Mitigation Options for Utilities in Managing Distributed PV – Managing PV Variability (Robert Broderick, SNL)  Understanding and Addressing High-penetration PV Issues Through Analysis of PV Integration in Florida Utility Circuits (Rick Meeker, FSU)  Case Study Examples Illustrating Modeling of PV for Distribution Planning and Analysisdeling PV on Distribution Systems (Jeff Smith, EPRI)  Integrating Renewable Energy in PJM (Kenneth Schuyler, PJM Interconnection  Moderated Discussion
  • 6. Technology Advancements in Power Electronics and Advanced Inverter Solutions (Kristen Nicole, EPRI - moderator)  Monitoring and Visualization Efforts for PV and Distribution Systems (Jason Bank- NREL)  Looking Ahead – EPRI R&D – Advanced Technologies to Manage and Integrate Distributed PV (Aminul Huque, EPRI)  Updating National Interconnection Standards for Advanced Inverter Capabilities (David Bassett, Consultant)  Advanced Grid Integration Features, (Carl Lennox, SunPower Corporation)  Moderated Discussion
  • 7. Concluding Discussion (Co-moderated by Hill and Coddington)  Remaining Issues  Desired Outcomes  Recommendations  Actionable items
  • 9. Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings  On February 16 SEIA petitioned FERC for a rulemaking  The PV market has made great progress with many thousands of systems installed  The issues are not necessarily new but with increased system penetration they become more pronounced  The DOE program has been working on the issues  On July 17, FERC held a technical conference
  • 10. Sandia’s Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Program Areas - Integrated Inverters, - Inverter, systems Controllers performance models - Microgrid architectures Testing, - Lab-based - Micro-electronics Evaluation, characterization - Thin Wafers R&D - New lab capabilities - In-line diagnostics Characterization (e.g. array simulator) - CPV systems - etc - System Reliability - Grid Integration/Storage - New systems - Building integration and configurations energy management - Grid penetration - SEGIS Applications - Market Transformation Development, - Direct industry support Market Barriers Support - Benchmarking/field T&E Non-hardware BOS - Analyses - Information Products www.sandia.gov/pv publications
  • 11. Market Transformation -Soft Costs Market Transformation promotes the commercialization of solar technologies by addressing non-technical issues that act as barriers to the adoption of solar energy technologies. The Market Transformation effort identifies and prioritizes significant barriers beyond traditional "cost" issues and develops specific activities and external partnerships to address those barriers. Goals: To Objectives: To Inform Increase Market DOD Policy and Energy Penetration Surety Regulatory Environment Interconnection Developer PV Market Utility Value Workshops Installation Risks & & Inspection Insurance Solar in Utility Portfolio Information Products Structural Visual Regulator Technical Water Resource Codes Impacts Training Assistance Issues Regulatory/Policy
  • 12. Technical Issues Identified  There is a need for transparent rules, provide a clear predictable path to interconnection for DG  “Difficult to obtain, let alone understand, the rigorous technical justification for 1. Certain per- circuit limits, 2. Process and timeline for processing interconnection studies, and basis for interconnection upgrade requirements mandated by individual utilities, a gap in the regulatory system.”
  • 13. Technical Issues Identified  The 15% rule is overly conservative  100% of minimum daytime load  Transmission providers must make peak and minimum load data available  Increase size threshold for fast track from 2 MW to 10 MW  Expedited review by third party experts
  • 14. Technical Issues Identified  Large numbers of installations is proof changes not needed, not a barrier  Need for modeling, standard load profiles, minimum load data , transfer to smart metering, and smart grid, comparable access to basic information for wholesale market access  Include CA settlement test-- CA Settlement includes Supplemental review that includes a Penetration Test, Power Quality and Voltage Fluctuation test, and safety and reliability test as part of a supplemental review
  • 15. Technical Issues Identified  Variable operations of solar  NARUC --maintain state jurisdiction, takes costs and resources for minimum load data  Don’t wait for IEEE standards to address interconnection issues  Queuing as an issue  PGE advises caps by voltage of lines rough estimate of 15% applied
  • 16. Technical Issues Identified in FERC Proceedings  Rural areas less robust grid  Technical conference  Pre-application process  Transactional costs  Varying line capacity by differing voltages
  • 17. Other Technical Issues  Distribution automation  Load switching  Flicker  Static system voltage levels  Utility system protection  Islanding detection  Fault current contribution  Voltage and current harmonic distortion issues,  Stability issues  Automatic transfer  Customer owned transformer design