Phase 3 Functions from SIWG Recommendations Document The results of the 3-19-15 survey are shown. DER manufacturers, implementers, and aggregators were combined, since most aggregators are also implementers. In this Table, only the majority vote is shown (see the pdf files for details). If there was no majority, I indicate the two or three highest results as H-M, H-O, M-O, or H-M-O. A couple of functions (F-W and connect/disconnect DER) were left out of the survey by mistake. A number of additional functions have been suggested and are added to the end of the Table. Phase 3 DER Functions with Communications Description Communication Requirements Util DER Oth Constraints & Comments 2 Monitor Alarms: Provide emergency alarms and information The DER system (and aggregations of DER systems, such as virtual power plants) provides alarms and supporting emergency information via the FDEMS to the utility. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. ICT: DER system provides alarms and emergency information to utility and/or REP H Larger DERs or multiple DERs within a facility 3 Monitor DER Status and Output: Provide status and measurements on current energy and ancillary services The DER system (and aggregations of DER systems, such as virtual power plants) provides current status, power system measurements, and other real-time data (possibly aggregated via the FDEMS) to the utility, in order to support real-time and short-term analysis applications. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. (Revenue metering data is provided via alternate means.) ICT: DER system provides status and measurement values to utility and/or REP H Larger DERs or multiple DERs within a facility
4 Limit Maximum Real Power: Limit maximum real power output at an ECP or the PCC upon a direct command from the utility The utility issues a direct command to limit the maximum real power output at the ECP or PCC. The reason might be that unusual or emergency conditions are causing reverse flow into the feeder’s substation or because the total DER real power output on the feeder is greater than some percentage of total load. The command might be an absolute watt value or might be a percentage of DER output. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. It might also be used to ensure fairness across many DER systems. Autonomous Local: Monitor real power output at PCC ICT: Utility issues a command to limit the real power output at the ECP or PCC H Larger DERs or large groups of DERs where ICT capabilities are available 5 Schedule Output at PCC: Schedule actual or maximum real power output at specific times The utility establishes (or pre-establishes) a schedule (e.g. on-peak & off-peak) of actual or maximum real power output levels at the ECP or PCC, possibly combining generation, storage, and load management. The reason might be to minimize output during low load conditions while allowing or requiring higher output during peak load time periods. Autonomous Monitor real power output at ECP or PCC. ICT: Utility updates the schedule of actual or maximum real power values H Larger DERs or multiple DERs within a facility
10 Provide DER Nameplate or As-Built information: Provide operational characteristics at initial interconnection and upon changes The DER system provides operational characteristics during initial Rule 21 screening, during implementation, or its “discovery” and whenever changes are made to its operational status. Off-line or ICT: (may be prior to installation) Provide DER characteristics information to utility Recommended for all DER systems. Since communications capability is mandatory, can be added later 11 Schedule DER Functions: Schedule real power and ancillary service outputs The DER system receives and follows schedules for real power settings, reactive settings, limits, modes (such as autonomous volt/var, frequency-watt), and other operational settings. Autonomous ICT: Utility, REP, or FDEMS issues schedules to DER system Recommended for all DER systems but may not always be activated
12 Schedule Storage: Set or schedule the storage of energy for later delivery, indicating time to start charging, charging rate and/or “charge-by” time For a DER system that has storage capabilities, such as battery storage or a combined PV + storage system or a fleet of electric vehicles. Preset values can be established. Settings are coordinated between the utility and DER operator. Different scenarios could include: Low load conditions at night are causing some renewable energy to be wasted, so charging energy storage DER systems at that time makes power system operations more efficient. DER controller charges at the specified rate (less than or equal to the maximum charging rate) until the state-of-charge (SOC) reaches a specified level. DER controller charges at the necessary rate in to reach the specified SOC within the “charge-by” time. Autonomous ICT: Utility updates the storage settings and/or schedule Recommended for DER systems with storage capabilities 13 Smooth Frequency Deviations: Smooth minor frequency deviations by rapidly modifying real power output to these deviations The DER system modifies real power output rapidly to counter minor frequency deviations. The frequency-watt settings define the percentage of real-power output to modify for different degrees of frequency deviations on a second or even basis Autonomous Monitor frequency ICT: Utility updates the frequency-watt settings M Recommended for all DER systems but may not always be activated
14 Backup Power: Provide backup power after disconnecting from grid The DER system, including energy storage and electric vehicles, has the ability to provide real when the site is disconnected from grid power. The reason is for providing backup power to the facility and possibly black start capabilities. Autonomous Local: Monitor voltage, frequency, and connected load O Decision by the DER 15 Imitate capacitor bank triggers: Provide reactive power through autonomous responses to weather, current, or time-of-day Similar to capacitor banks on distribution circuits, the DER system implements temperature-var curves that define the reactive power for different ambient temperatures, similar to use of feeder capacitors for improving the voltage profile. Curves could also be defined for current-var and for time-of-day-var. Autonomous Local: Monitor weather conditions ICT: Utility updates curves O Utilities may optionally identify some DER systems that could provide this functionality, with agreement by DER owner 16 Operate within an islanded microgrid: Operate within an islanded microgrid After grid power is lost or disconnected, or upon command, the DER system enters into microgrid “mode” as either “leading” or “following” the microgrid frequency and voltage, while acting either as base generation or as load-matching, depending upon preset parameters. Autonomous ICT: Utility or FDEMS issues “microgrid mode” command O Optional decision by DER owners/ managers if the DER systems have been designed to support microgrid operations
20 Execute schedules: Scheduled, planned, or forecast of available energy and ancillary services The FDEMS provides scheduled, planned, and/or forecast information for available energy and ancillary services over the next hours, days, weeks, etc., for input into planning applications. Separate DER generation from load behind the PCC. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. ICT: FDEMS provides information to utility and/or REP O Optional, market driven, and based on capabilities of the DER systems 21 Issue generation and storage schedules The DER system provides schedules of expected generation and storage reflecting customer requirements, maintenance, local weather forecasts, etc. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. ICT: Provide scheduling information to Utility, REP, or O Optional, and may not always be activated 22 Provide black start capabilities The DER system operates as a microgrid (possibly just itself) and supports additional loads being added, so long as they are within its generation capabilities. This function is feasible only if the ICT infrastructure is available. ICT: Utility issues “black start mode” command Optional, market driven, and based on capabilities of the DER systems