How does Manual Conservation Voltage Regulation/Reduction compare to an AdaptiVolt™ System?

The following are possible methods of reducing distribution voltage for conservation voltage regulation/reduction.

1. Reduce the voltage on the regulators to 118 volts.
   Procedure - Manually set the voltage regulators in the field to a lower voltage output.
   Benefits - It is easy and inexpensive to do.
   Disadvantages - Because there is no indication of end of line voltage or other critical load voltages, low voltage and customer complaints are very likely. Running below the ANSI standard can damage equipment for which a utility will likely be held liable. For this method to work, voltage regulators would have to be manually changed frequently on-site, and turned on and off as necessary. There is no possible tie to a SCADA system.
    
2. Adapt a non-feedback method of conservation voltage regulation similar to the methods Snohomish P.U.D. used in the late 1980s.
   Procedure - The utility studies each feeder, and models the line taking into account different loads at each meter base. After the model is complete, the regulators are manually set in the field to a lower voltage using line drop compensation.
   Benefits - It provides a conservation voltage reduction with minimal probability of dropping below a pre-set minimum at the end of the line.
   Disadvantages - It takes significant effort to model a distribution line. Computing line compensation is not always a clear-cut process. Because of the need to not exceed low voltage set points, margins need to be built in to allow for heavily and light load periods, thereby reducing the effectiveness of CVR. When a change occurs on the feeder such as increased load, the system must be re-computed and the VR manually changed in the field. The system must be manually turned off or on at the site. There is no tie to SCADA.
    
3. Use an automated AdaptiVolt™ System from PCS UtiliData.
   Procedure - The utility installs an automated control system to adjust the voltage at the source of a feeder. Line voltage monitors measure the voltage at the end of the line and keep the voltage above a pre-set minimum.
   
   Additional Advantages:
   
   • Adapts to new loads and feeder reconfigurations automatically.
   • Ties with SCADA allows remote on - off and remote set point control.
   • Can be used for emergency demand / load reduction or energy transfer.
   • Provides unparalleled feeder visibility. Gives engineers more data to better manage their distribution system.
   • System starts saving energy and provides benefits immediately, while providing data that will allow cost effective feeder enhancement.
   • Cost of AdaptiVolt™ is in many cases more cost effective than older methods.
   Benefits - The feed can be run at minimum voltage (and hence maximum conservation) without fear of exceeding a pre-set minimum. This process does not require extensive modeling of a feeder.
   Disadvantages - The cost of the system. However, our studies show that the payback for the AdaptiVolt™ system can be as short as 2 years, depending on feeder loads.