Resources for Distribution Operations and Planning Research

• 1: Supplemental and Application Projects
• 2: Operations, Protection, and Systems Lab
• 3: Software Tools
• 4: Distribution Area Quick Reference
• 5: Technical Leads

1 - Supplemental and Application Projects

Supplemental projects are focused on accelerating the application of the latest research advancements, providing member specific results, and increasing the pace and breadth of research. Projects can be either multi-funder where a subset of members collaborate to advance specific capabilities or be 1-on-1 application projects to support individual utility needs. Regardless of approach, these efforts can be funded leveraging the self-directed funds set aside for each utility. These projects enable:

• Results specific to your needs
• Implementation of new processes with utility SMEs
• Proving out technology and integration

Collaborative Supplemental Projects

One-on-One Application Opportunities

• Grid Modernization Strategic Roadmapping
• Alarm Management Implementation for DCC
• DMS Application Testing
• Grid Model Data Requirements and Roadmap
• Application of Distribution Protection Analysis Toolkit
• Protection Technology and Logic Testing
• Non-Wires Alternatives Assessments
• Electrification Grid Readiness Assessments
• Distribution Resilience Planning Assessments

For more on supplemental project opportunities, click here. To discuss project ideas, contact Lindsey Rogers

2 - Operations, Protection, and Systems Lab

OPS Lab

The goal of the OPS lab is to bridge the gap from planned deployments to field-ready applications. From the operator to the device, the OPS lab provides capabilities to emulate a complete distribution system and assess innovative solutions.

Our OPS Lab is about assessing and maximizing use of new technologies that can help transform distribution and is a key resource enabling DO&P research.

Key Capabilities

Distribution Management System (DMS) and Distribution Automation (DA) Testing

Utilities are very limited today in their ability to test complex DMS/DA algorithms prior to field implementation. The OPS Lab enables testing of all DMS functions (e.g. Volt/VAR, FLISR, DSSE) against a synthetic “real world”. The OPS lab enables a range of scenarios to be explored including the ability to manipulate loads, DER production, voltages, faults, etc. to evaluate DMS/DA algorithm response and performance.

Operator Training

Present DMS Operator Training Simulators are more focused on the operator learning how to use the DMS software and basic activities. Using the OPS Lab utility, trainers and managers will be able construct realistic but complex scenarios, including multiple contingencies, control failures, device failures, communications failures, and variations in loading, DER production, and voltage during the training exercise.

Protection Technologies

New technologies present opportunities for improving operations and protection of the grid, but there is also an increase of complexity. The OPS lab enables the evaluation of new protection technologies, logic and approaches to enable safe and reliable deployment.

3 - Software Tools

EPRI develops software to implement, test and refine the planning, operations, and protection research results created. This allows members to utilize the methods and algorithms developed in a direct way that can support their day-to-day functions. It is a vehicle for quick transfer of the R&D to application, with potential to save engineering time and reduce costs associated with operating and planning. The DO&P team has an expanding toolset to help utilities assess complex problems while continuously improving our workforce impact.

To learn more about these tools, contact Lindsey Rogers

Tools to Support Planners & Modeling Engineers

DRIVE™

Being used by 35 utilities worldwide to enable an effective means for assessing location-based impacts of distribution resources that can consider the breadth and depth of a utility’s system. Assessment methods include hosting capacity and identification of location specific mitigation solutions to increased DER and load hosting capacity.

FLEET EV ASSESSMENT TOOL

Enables assessment of the impacts of fleet electrification on the distribution system to improve grid utilization and identify mitigations

GRID MODEL VALIDATION & VERIFICATION (GMVV) TOOL

Automates the detection and remediation of model quality issues to enable improved studies.

MEASUREMENT DATA CLEANING TOOL

Automates detection and processing to clean SCADA and AMI data for various applications.

OPTIMAL DA SWITCH PLACEMENT TOOL

Enables the evaluations of the optimal placement of switches on the distribution system

AUTOMATED DISTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING TOOLS (ADAPT)

Enables the evaluation of traditional and non-traditional planning alternatives in an automated fashion

OPENDSS

Open-source tool developed as a key resource for EPRI research and is used throughout the industry to develop new methods and analytics for simulating distribution systems

Tools to Support Operators & Operational Planners

AUTOMATED SYSTEM CONFIGURATION ASSESSMENT TOOL (ASCOT)

Enables assessments to quickly identify feasible and beneficial load transfers under a given set of operational conditions

ALARM VISUALIZATION AND ASSESSMENT TOOL (AVAT)

Enables operators to automatically diagnose a large flood of alarms to their root cause and baseline the alarm system

Tools to Support Protection Engineers

DISTRIBUTION PROTECTION ANALYSIS TOOLKIT (DPAT)

Enables protection engineers to perform wide-ranging protection coordination checks and identify mitigation solutions in an automated fashion

4 - Distribution Area Quick Reference

Distribution Ops & Planning Reference Guide

5 - Technical Leads

Program 200 Technical Contacts

General Inquiries

For general inquiries on EPRI research, please contact askepri@epri.com.