This paper presents part of the work ComEd and Quanta Technology have performed to quantify the locational and temporal value of DER to avoid distribution grid upgrade investments. It focuses on the formulation of a robust and efficient algorithm for DER optimal dispatch on a distribution feeder to mitigate the violation of current and voltage limits using the allocated cost of capacity and locational marginal value of real and reactive DER injection/withdrawal.

Electric utilities are experiencing a rapid growth of distributed energy resource (DER) deployment in their distribution grids. DERs can result in operational challenges in distribution grids, while at the same time can be viable assets in helping electric utilities better plan and manage grid design, operation, and planning. The DER valuation becomes an extremely important factor in this situation to ensure that DERs are fairly and accurately valued for the services they provide. This paper investigates the idea of spatiotemporal valuation of DERs and develops a sensitivity-based locational marginal value (LMV) calculation method that can be solved without the need for solving the network power flow problem. Furthermore, the impact of cost allocation to various upgrades in the system on LMV calculation is investigated, with the goal of demonstrating the fairness of the proposed LMV calculation method. The proposed model is applied to a standard test system for evaluation and validation.

This paper presents the design and demonstration of a scenario-based testing plan for ComEd’s microgrid master controller (MMC) for a utility scale community microgrid which is designed for 7MW aggregated load. The controller implements a supervisory hierarchical control structure for supporting grid-connected and islanded modes of operation for this state-of-the-art microgrid cluster. Using day-ahead and economic dispatch functions, the MMC optimizes the use of generation assets and battery energy storage, making it economically viable. The power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) results for demonstrating the controller capabilities are presented here.

Successful adoption of electric vehicles requires adequate and widespread public charging infrastructure to address customer confidence. Technological advancements in smart parking infrastructures and vehicle-to-grid energy transfer have the capability to add value to the vehicle, grid, and electricity markets. As a deferrable load and flexible source, an aggregate electric vehicle fleet can enhance system resilience. In this paper, a long-term airport parking is used as a platform on which transactive business models for electric vehicles have been developed. Different cost components were tested and compared under profit maximization with due consideration with battery degradation costs. Technical details coupled with business propositions have been developed in this paper using a mixed integer optimization implementation. A day-ahead energy transaction portfolio was created considering customer convenience. Results indicate that long-term smart parking can be profitable to all entities while providing significant benefits to the grid.

Microgrids have been considered an essential component for improving the efficiency, resilience and reliability of the evolving electric power grid. Their modularity adds to the operational flexibility of the system in addition to provision for multi-player energy markets and transactive energy framework. The value of microgrid based systems is evident from their growing implementations globally. This underscores the need for developing a skilled workforce at the confluence of power systems and power electronics. Based on this, a special course in virtual power plants and virtual inertia was introduced at Clemson for exploratory pedagogy and building foundations for scientific scholarship in this area. This paper introduces the objectives, major challenges, design, planning and modeling tools, project outcomes and lessons learned from the instructor's experience with this hybrid course.

Electric vehicles are an integral component of an environmentally sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Successful penetration of electric vehicles requires close coupling between the customers and load serving entities, adaptive energy markets, and technological advancements. In this paper, distribution line over-loading due to vehicle charging has been mitigated using both day-ahead (static) and real-time (dynamic) frameworks, using continuous and discrete charging rates. The proposed solution focuses on valley filling (system perspective) and charging cost reduction (customer perspective). The real-time solution was achieved using a moving horizon optimization technique. In addition to providing charging coordination, the impacts of two different pricing structures were analyzed to ascertain the customer's individual cost optima with respect to the system optima. The results presented strongly indicate that a global pricing structure will not be optimal for all consumers due to their diverse driving habits.

A price responsive demand (PRD) market has been perceived as the future of electricity markets with the capability of achieving economic benefits. It lays the foundation of demand response at the customer level. Time of use structures have been implemented widely to achieve load reshaping. This paper introduces a clustering based methodology for obtaining optimal time of use structures (optimal number of levels and rate durations) based on historical load profiles and real-time prices. The study takes into account variation in weekday and weekend load profiles and also seasonal variations. A new hybrid policy that bridges the gap between seasonal time-of-use and critical peak pricing has been proposed.