Demonstrate the Phase III functions of a PV smart inverter and a storage inverter.
Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Inc.
Recipient
San Francisco, CA
Recipient Location
11th
Senate District
17th
Assembly District
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
This project was terminated. Loss of the site where the work was to be performed, prevented Microgrid Solutions, Inc. from fulfilling the obligations under the agreement.
The Issue
The Smart Inverter Working Group (SIWG) has been developing requirements for advanced functionality of inverters over three phases. They have developed recommendations for the third phase to enable distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide coordinated, targeted support to the distribution grid. There is a need to demonstrate and validate these functions in a real-world setting.
Project Innovation
Demonstrate the eight phase III functions of smart inverters in the field. This project was to test and validate the Phase III functions of a PV smart inverter and a storage inverter to support higher penetrations of solar on the feeder to the South Coast AQMD Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. This project was to test, validate, and demonstrate all eight Smart Inverter Working Group (SIWG) Phase III functions in a system composed of a PV smart inverter, a bi-directional storage inverter, using behind-the-meter solar and storage. This was to increase circuit hosting capacity for solar and decrease distributed PV integration costs.
Project Benefits
This project was to develop an advanced communications gateway and system controller to operate and demonstrate the use of Phase III functions for smart inverters and energy storage to enable greater use of distributed renewable energy resources.
Affordability
The Project was expected to reduce the demand charges at the demonstration site by 28% and reduce the overall electric bill by 18%. These benefits would accrue over the course of a 25-year minimum guaranteed contract.
Reliability
The Project was to increase grid reliability and reduce the likelihood of blackouts or brownouts by reducing peak energy demand at the demonstration site by 16% or more (approximately 347 kW for the Project); and total energy usage by >10% (approximately 736 MWh per year) to reduce congestion by using onsite distributed renewable energy resources.
Key Project Members
Wenshu Fan
Subrecipients
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Black & Veatch
Namaste Solar
ESD Global
Match Partners
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Inc.
Nemaste Solar
