APPLICATIONS
Distribution Smart Grid
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There are theoretical and practical principal aspects related to Integrating Volt/VAr Management strategies that are consistent with Smart Grid objectives for Asset Management and Reliability in the distribution system.
Implementation of LTC transformer control, line regulator control along feeders, pole top capacitor bank control (remotely controlled and locally controlled), power quality issue mitigation for sags, swells, and harmonics, adherence to CBEMA voltage waveform criteria, as well as protection of the intertie with disbursed, alternative, or green energy sources may all be part of a smart grid strategy.
Beckwith Electric has been and is a leader in implementing the components of such a strategy. With Beckwith’s long standing history of IVVM, we have implemented system performance enhancements such as use of; autoadaptive techniques, VAr Biasing, Line Drop Compensation (LDC), flattening the voltage profile end to end and Conservation Voltage Control, as well as advanced techniques for paralleling of single bus, double bus and ring bus configurations.
Beckwith has also developed SCADA heartbeat integrity checks, and automatic change over algorithms on loss of communications to enhance system reliability. Beckwith Electric has kept abreast of industry advances in communications; ports, protocols and media and the use of Ethernet over fiber optics, IEC 61850, mesh networks, reporting by exception and unsolicited reporting, broadcasting capabilities for voltage collapse mitigation, distribution VAr support to transmission side for voltage collapse mitigation, and much more.
Beckwith Electric is the premier leader in voltage and VAr management techniques and has the system elements that facilitate the solutions for strategies that our utility customers want. Our experience goes all the way back to 1967 and that lineage and thousands of man-hours of experience instills confidence in the solutions that can be provided. Let Beckwith Electric be your Smart Grid partner for implementing your integrated volt/VAr management strategy!
Benefits of Integrated Volt/Var Management (IVVM)
- Reduced system losses
- Improved system stability
- Reduced system-wide losses
- Increased power delivery capacity (kW)
- Minimized voltage variations
- Maintaining satisfactory delivery voltage to customers
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Reduced/deferred capital expenditure
- Reduced operating costs
- Flattened Voltage Profiles and Conservation Voltage Control (CVC)
Reduction Of Line Losses - the Fundamental Key
Studies have shown that line losses in the distribution system approach 8 to 10% and that correct and proper capacitor bank placement and operation can reduce line losses in the distribution system by as much as 1 to 2% at a minimum.
If the annual load of said distribution system is 35.000GWh/yr, 8% line losses would equate to 2800GWh/yr. At a cost of $0.05/kWh, the 2800kWh/yr would be a gross $140 million dollars loss annually!
If proper and correct placement and operation of switched capacitor banks in the distribution system can conservatively save 1% of those losses, then by rapid assessment it can be seen that annual savings from installing pole top cap banks approaches $17 million. (1% of 2800GWh/yr = 350,000 kWh @ $0.05 = $17.5 million).
Savings like this can largely defer or offset the need for additional generation by freeing up delivery capacity.
With more capacitance in the system the x/r ratio of the lines are reduced which can improve stability with less voltage fluctuations (with x/r = 4, 1kw produces a 1 volt drop while 1 kVAr produces a 4 volt drop).
With less voltage variations, better voltage delivery to customers can also be achieved.
With flatter voltage profiles, conservation voltage control can be utilized, which can reduce loading system-wide, which in turn also frees up delivery capacity and again can defer or offset capital expenditure.
Beckwith Electric also designs and manufactures various intertie, generation and transformer protection relays, that allow the interconnection of distribution systems and the connection of distributed generation. Such interconnections create the capability for more efficient and reliable distribution and transmission systems.
For additional company or product information, please browse our website or contact us at (727) 544-2326.