AdaptiVolt™ White Papers

The Case for DSP Based Volt/VAR Optimization (2012 IEEE T&D Conference)

There are many complex factors which influence the operation of electric distribution systems which are not easily addressed by traditional (Line Drop Compensation) or smart grid (Geographical Information System) model based VVO systems. Digital Signal Processing based VVO control systems can provide better performance with regard to voltage control, CVR and demand reduction.

A Comparison of AdaptiVolt™ and Line Drop Compensation

There are several main differences between the implementation of Volt/VAR optimization with AdaptiVolt™ and traditional Line Drop Compensation (LDC).  This paper discusses application history of each technology, the main technical differences and economic considerations of these two Volt/VAR optimization control methods.

Measurement and Verification of Distribution Voltage Optimization Results for the IEEE Power & Engineering Society

Since 2002, PCS UtiliData has installed and operated 11 separate distribution voltage optimization projects involving 10 electric utilities, 19 different substations and 66 separate distribution feeders.  Data has been collected and analyzed for those projects.  This paper discusses the method of measurement and verification and the findings and results of the analyses on a macro level, i.e. on a feeder or substation level.  The results of the analysis on a macro level contradict commonly held assumptions on how feeder current behaves when feeder voltage is reduced, whether CVR factors are contact over a voltage range, how motor current behaves when motor terminal voltage is reduced and others. The paper then discusses the contradictions using various studies and analysis of results on a micro level, that is on a distribution devices or utilization device level.

Saving MegaWatts with Voltage Optimization

In September 2008, PCS UtiliData commissioned an AdaptiVolt™ Industrial Voltage Optimization system at the Plum Creek Timber Company Medium Density Fiberboard facility in Columbia Falls, Montana.  After more than a year of operation the system has reduced demand at the facility by 3.72% with an annual energy savings of over 9,000,000 kWh.  This case history was presented at the 2010 Industrial Energy Technology Conference in New Orleans.

AdaptiVolt™ - A Transmission Asset and System Stability Tool!

AdaptiVolt™ is an effective tool in improving the capability of the existing transmission grid to handle system emergencies. AdaptiVolt™ allows a distribution system to be operated at lower average voltages, while keeping all customer service voltages within acceptable ANSI or CAN ranges. 

AdaptiVolt™ Based CVR in Industrial Applications
This Technical Synopsis provides engineers and other interested parties with background information and appropriate references on various industrial electrical production equipment and components’ reaction to Conservation Voltage Regulation (CVR) using AdaptiVolt™. It focuses on electric production and operational support equipment in a typical Pacific Northwest paper mill. A paper mill was selected for discussion because it uses many of the same processes used in other industrial facilities as well as being one of the major industrial users of electrical energy in the Pacific Northwest. Information is provided on how individual electrical devices such as transformers, motors, variable speed drives, ballasted lights and other equipment will react to AdaptiVolt™ based CVR. Reactions are individually described and referenced.

Clatskanie People's Utility District - SCADA System
In 2001, Clatskanie PUD installed a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The utility previously had no such capability. The system was installed to provide full SCADA capabilities and load-data acquisition in order to comply with the Bonneville Power Administration "SLICE" program and power management needs. "SLICE" load data is communicated to EWEB (Eugene Water and Electric Board) who acts as Clatskanie PUD’s Scheduling Agent for "real time" and short-term power management. The new SCADA system uses dual-licensed radio communications channels. The system provides data acquisition, trending and archiving, alarming and paging, control of reclosers, oil circuit breakers, load tap changers and regulators. A new 11 Mw combustion turbine can be monitored, started and stopped from the PUD office. Set-points for the turbine output can be set from either the PUD office or from EWEB. The SCADA system uses PLC-based RTUs, a PLC-based communication front-end and a Microsoft® Windows 2000® based master station.

Demand Side Management and Energy Conservation Using Distribution Automation Technologies
Lowering distribution voltage levels has been a technique used to reduce demand, control load and reduce energy usage. In some emergency situations, "brownouts" (lower than ANSI Standard C84.1 minimum voltages) are used to avoid widespread power outages when power supply does not equal demand.

Traditionally, there have been several difficulties in closely controlling distribution voltage levels so that they could be used as load management, demand response or conservation tools. These traditional approaches require significant amount of engineering and capital to prepare a distribution system for the use of distribution voltage level control as a demand control, load control or energy conservation tool.

This manuscript describes a new approach that uses modern distribution automation technologies to closely control distribution voltage levels. This new approach integrates modern monitoring, control and communication technologies. It allows closely controlled distribution voltages to be used effectively as a demand control, load control and energy conservation tools. It also discusses the implementation of several operating systems and the results that are being obtained on those systems as well as the results that other utilities could expect when this new technology is used to implement Demand Control, Load Management and Conservation Voltage Regulation.

Energy Conservation and Demand Control Using Distribution Automation Technologies

2004 IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference Presentation

In 2002, two Pacific Northwest Utilities placed new distribution automation technology solutions into service at four substations with a total of ten distribution feeders. These solutions use commercial-off-the-shelf control technology to closely control distribution voltages to reduce energy usage and control demand. The first system at Inland Power and Light Company, a cooperative in Eastern Washington, went into service in April 2002, and the other three at Clatskanie PUD in Oregon went into service in November 2002. Avista Utilities is installing this new technology at the time of this writing. This paper presents the results of the ongoing operation and tests at these four rural substations. It will also describe the results that other utilities could expect when this technology is used to implement demand control, load management and conservation voltage regulation.

Energy Conservation with Voltage Reduction – Fact or Fantasy
Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) will reduce demand on an electric system. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has agreed to reimburse several of it’s customers who are public utility districts or electric cooperatives for either the cost of installing CVR systems or the energy saved with a CVR system. This manuscript discusses systems installed by two electric utilities in the Pacific Northwest that are being used to implement CVR using new communication and control technologies to prevent under voltage conditions and assure actual reduced energy usage.

Estimation of PCS UtiliData AdaptiVolt™ System Performance using Observed Energy Demand Profiles