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Power Systems Project Example
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Project Title: Aggregating Distributed Generators
Electrotek Concepts, Inc., Long Island, NY
BACKGROUNDw
In New York State, backup generators that are installed in many commercial,
industrial and institutional facilities compose between 6-10% of the
annual peak demand. Typically, backup generators are not interconnected
to the utility grid, but are isolated from the grid and operate only
when the commercial supply is blacked out. Restructuring of the utility
industry has opened up the possibility of capturing new benefits from
distributed generation. These backup generators represent an under utilized
resource that could serve functionally as distributed generation providing
both spinning reserve and peaking power. If controls were added to make
them dispatchable, backup generators could have substantial positive
impacts, both for the owners of the backup generators and for the utility
network in which they are located. Since they can be brought on line
very quickly, the aggregated available capacity can serve as spinning
reserve (available at full load within 10 minutes) without requiring
that the backup generators to actually be in operation.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate that existing backup generators can be cost-effectively
aggregated and dispatched to provide spinning reserve capacity and peaking
energy.
DESCRIPTION
This project would aggregate these distributed generators by adding
controls to make them immediately dispatchable from a single control
point when required for reduction in peak demand on the grid. Recruit
backup generator owners totaling 30 MW of backup capacity; procure and
install the equipment needed to interconnect each participating generator
and the system aggregator control room; enable communication from the
control room to the New York power exchange; and analyze the results,
including quantification of the economic and environment benefits.
BENEFITS
This project offers improved system reliability, lower electricity costs,
better utilization of the installed transmission and distribution systems,
better system efficiency, as well as reduced distribution system investment,
reduced transmission congestion, and lower cost ancillary services.
There are also environmental benefits (CO2 reduced by 280,000 tons/year)
resulting from displacement of conventional spinning reserve capacity
which is traditionally provided by operating large fossil plants below
their rated capacity. The capacity of the aggregated backup generators
can be sold as spinning reserve even though they may not actually be
in operation (and therefore neither consuming fuel/nor producing harmful
emissions) since they can be dispatched and on line within 10 minutes.
SCHEDULE AND STATUS
Work on Phase 1, Tasks 1 through 4 began November 2000 and will be completed
in December 2001. NYSERDA has also been awarded a contract by DOE/NREL
to perform additional work which will build on the scope of the original
contract between NYSERDA and Electrotek Concepts. This will include
additional tasks such as the plans of the New York Independent System
Operator (NYISO) to add "interruptible loads" to its daily auction;
this means the need to have participating Backup Generator (BG) units
on-line within one minute (to replace the utility supply). This will
necessitate development and demonstration of a faster controller.
Staff Contact
James Foster
Project Manager
ext. 3376
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17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399 Toll-Free:
1-866-NYSERDA or Local: 518-862-1090 Fax: 518-862-1091
New York City and Buffalo Regional Offices
© 2004 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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