Smart Grid Projects NSTAR

Larry GelbienNew England Restructuring RoundTable

December 4, 2009

1

AGENDA• Overview of Three Smart Grid

Projects– Grid Self-Healing Project– Urban Grid Monitoring and

Renewables Integration Project– AMR Based Dynamic Pricing Project

• Questions

Grid Self-Healing ProjectDOE ARRA Deployment

Project

Cumulative Number of Averted Sustained Customer Outages Due to ASU Operations: Through 10/31/09

Automated Sectionalizing Unit Program

Slide Updated November 9, 2009

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 YTD

# C

usto

mer

s

Averted Customer Outages (Cumulative)

4

RestorationReliability Top Decile

2006 2007 20082005 YTD2009

10.9

12.4

9.8

16.1

11.8

2006 2007 20082005 YTD2009

77.569.5

76.6

94.4

78.2

Avg. months between interruptions

Avg. time to restore service

5

Smart Grid – Distribution Automation•Over 1,300 SCADA Switches with over 7,500 smart sensors installed through the

service• 40 to 60 new devices with 120 additional smart sensors annually

6

Smart Switch Equipment

7

“Self-Healing” Distribution Grid

• Electric delivery network using modern sensing, communications, and information processing based on digital technologies– Microprocessor-based measurement and control using

remote sensors • Current, voltage, KVA, temperature

• Circuit self-healing implementation (Auto-Restoration): 900 circuits

• Supervisory controlled overhead and underground switches with voltage and current sensors: 220 switches

• Interoperability standards using PI interface• SCADA interface to recloser control cabinet: 20 reclosers

8

With State-of-the-Art Technology

Three Operational Modes• Mode 1: “Supervisory” mode

• Leverages remote control of switches• Operator controlled sequences

• Mode 2: “Operational Acknowledgement” mode• Computer-simulated restoration sequences• Operator validation and execution

• Mode 3: “Self-Healing” mode• Computer-determined restoration sequences• No human intervention

9

NSTAR Grid Improvement – Example of how ASUs work

10

Self-Healing Auto-Restoration

11

GWAC Interoperability Checklist for Project

12

DOE Funding Approved• $20 million deployment project

with 50% DOE funded

• NSTAR to fund 50% as capital project

• DOE grant agreement to be executed

Urban Grid Monitoring and Renewables

IntegrationEnablers to Test

Distributed Resource Integration

Project Objectives• Improve visibility into secondary area network grid

• Deploy sensors on the underground secondary network methodology

• Refine methods suitable to scale broadly across urban areas nationwide

• Develop model to safely examine small inverter-based distributed resource integration• Solar PV integration from downtown customers• Potential for integration anywhere on the test grid• Pave the way for other, inverter-based DER in the future

• Received DOE Smart Grid demonstration grant, pending DPU approval

15

Demonstration Grid Location (Shown in Red)

16

Functionality Deployed in “Layered” ApproachLayers provide the data collection, monitoring, and analysis

required for safely testing distributed resource integration

17

Metering and Analysis• Distributed resource interconnection on secondary networks

– IEEE 1547 examined– Approach submitted for comment at August 2009 IEEE

meeting• Additional metering capability

• kWh smart metering on customers with PV integration• Enhanced feeder data metering including V & A phase info

• Customer PV interconnection • Power flow monitored• Remotely controlled to disconnect on unsafe condition

• Engineering analysis• All sensor data to be collected at Collection Server• Information forwarded to SCADA system and plant information

system for Engineering, Operations, and Planning access

18

Project Topology View

19

Key Questions to be Answered• What significant deployment and installation

challenges were encountered?• What is the percent of load from participating

customers?• From PV vs. other sources

• How effective was the mixed data collection methodology?

• What is the frequency of disconnect due to grid stability concerns?

• Will a higher percent of minor-node be effective in the future?

• How durable is the sensing equipment, especially minor-nodes?

20

AMR–Based Dynamic Pricing Project

• Pilot requirements— Cover at least 2,750 customers (0.25 % of

subscribers)— Integrated two-way communications — Smart meters— Real-time measurements and communications— Embedded automated load management— Remote monitoring and operation of

distribution system— Time-of-use or hourly pricing— Rate treatment of incremental program costs— Minimum 5% load reduction (peak and average)

• Received DOE Smart Grid demonstration grant, pending DPU approval

21

Consumer Behavior: Provide Accurate Information to Make Informed

Decisions

broadband

broadband

Tendril Insight (in-home display)

Tendril Set-Point (thermostat)

Tendril Transport (gateway)

Tendril Volt (outlet)

Tendril Mobile

•Load Control•Pricing Options•Energy Efficiency (CFL, Load Control, Solar, DG, PHEV)

22

Near Real-Time Information for Customers and Utilities•Communication Options

•Least Cost Options•Minimize Stranded Costs

CellularCellularBroadband over Power LineBroadband over Power Line

MeshMesh

AMR/AMI over Customer’s Broadband ServiceAMR/AMI over Customer’s Broadband Service

23

QUESTIONS?