Conservation
Voltage Regulation/Reduction
with
AdaptiVolt™
Deploying AdaptiVolt™ technology to obtain the energy
conservation benefits of Conservation Voltage Regulation (CVR) allows a
utility to maximize its return on CVR investment over traditional or legacy
Conservation Voltage Regulation methods.
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Real-Time end-of-line voltage monitoring and
control assure adequate voltages to all customers.
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Maximum reduction in average system voltages
is gained.
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Advanced algorithms reduce tap changer
operations.
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Installed costs are as low as $250k per
Average Megawatt (AMw)
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Energy conservation measured costs are as
low as $.004 (4 mils) per kWh saved.
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Reduced system reactive power requirements
may reduce the need for a utility to install capacitors.
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System peaks are reduced by 3% to 7%.
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Peak Demand Shaving and Dispatchable Demand
Control are available with AdaptiVolt™ based Conservation Voltage
Regulation/Reduction.
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AdaptiVolt™ technology is based on
Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment.
AdaptiVolt™ platforms can dispatch voltage-based demand control within
seconds. They can also operate on the distribution system, 24 hours a
day to achieve maximum energy savings or during selected time periods.
Once deployed system wide, AdaptiVolt™ clearly enhances grid reliability and
optimizes distribution automation.
What is the purpose of
Conservation Voltage Regulation/Reduction?
The objective of
CVR is to have the customer’s voltage at the lowest level consistent with
proper operation of equipment and within levels set by regulatory agencies
and standards setting organizations. ANSI Standard C 84.1 sets the range for
voltages at the distribution transformer secondary terminals between 114 and
126 volts.
How has Conservation Voltage Regulation
traditionally been practiced?
Historically CVR
has been implemented using two different strategies. The first method is
Line Drop Compensation (LDC) and the second is Voltage Spread Reduction (VSR).
Some utilities use a combination of these strategies. These strategies
require system studies and computer modeling of the system. They are
engineering intensive, often requiring expensive load balancing, re-conductoring,
and capacitor additions before a utility is able to implement them.
Benefits of AdaptiVolt™
The
AdaptiVolt™ system allows utilities to begin obtaining the benefits of
Conservation Voltage Regulation immediately without the high engineering
costs or engineering manpower requirements of the other strategies. Not only
does the
AdaptiVolt™ system reduce energy usage, it provides system improvements as
well. The cooperative benefits by implementing a positive energy
conservation program while at the same time gaining the benefits of a data
acquisition system.
The
AdaptiVolt™ system can be used to manage costs by identifying and reducing
system losses, verifying complex wholesale power bills, tracking system
growth, planning for expansion and implementing predictive maintenance. The
system can be used to support customers by reducing outages through outage
management and improved power quality. The utility controls their energy
conservation measures rather than allowing the customers to control the
conservation efforts. Energy purchases can be reduced and the utility can
implement demand control with the system. The
AdaptiVolt™ system also allows the utility to verify system performance for
regulatory agencies. And, because the
AdaptiVolt™ system can be the
basis of a SCADA system, remote supervisory control can be added to further
reduce the utility’s operating costs.
For more information about CVR using
AdaptiVolt™ systems, see our
Frequently Asked Questions
page. |
