Recovery Act:
Regional Demonstration Projects

Smart Grid Regional Demonstration projects involve assessments of the integration of advanced technologies with existing power systems including those involving renewable and distributed energy systems and demand response programs. The technical and economic performance of these technologies are being evaluated for applications such as microgrids, automated distribution systems, advanced metering infrastructure, time-based rate programs, and plug-in electric vehicles.

Interim and final Technology Performance Reports (TPRs) are submitted by the recipients to DOE. Each TPR contains the following information:

• An overview of the project including a list of objectives, schedules and milestones, and interactions with project stakeholders.
• Descriptions of the technologies and systems used in the project, including system designs and configurations of the various smart grid systems, subsystems, and components, a discussion of smart grid capabilities and functions, and a discussion of how the capabilities and functions are being used to produce grid impacts and benefits.
• Descriptions of the methodologies and algorithms for estimating the physical and financial performance of the smart grid systems and applications, their grid impacts, and the value of the benefits.
• Summaries of the results of the performance of the smart grid systems and technologies derived from lab tests, field tests, or grid-connected applications.
• Summaries of the results of the analysis of grid impacts and estimation of benefits.
• Summary of the major findings and conclusions including lessons learned and best practices.
• Summary of future plans and next steps with respect to additional testing, demonstration, or deployment.

Topical Reports

• Dynamic Line Rating Systems for Transmission Lines – April 2014

Case Studies

• Smart Grid Technologies Cut Emissions and Costs in Ohio – September 2015
• Demonstrating Coordinated Resources in the Pacific Northwest – September 2015
• Harnessing New Generation and Storage Technologies for the Grid – September 2015
• Renovating the Grid and Revitalizing a Neighborhood – September 2015
• Improving Security in the Growing Smart Energy Corridor – September 2015
• Power to the People: Automatic Meter Reading Supports Consumer Programs – September 2015
• Improving Efficiency with Dynamic Line Ratings – September 2015
• Making Electricity a Value Proposition for the Consumer – September 2015
• Voltage and Power Optimization Saves Energy and Reduces Peak Power – September 2015
• Oncor's Pioneering Transmission Dynamic Line Rating Demonstration Lays Foundation for Follow-On Deployments – May 2014

NRECA Regional Demonstration Reports

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is demonstrating Smart Grid technologies with 23 cooperatives in 12 states across multiple utilities, geographies, climates, and applications including low density areas, low consumer income areas, and service areas prone to national disasters.

Technology performance reports prepared by NRECA include:

• Conservation Impact of Prepaid Metering Motivation and Incentives for Pre-Pay Systems - May 2014
• Multi-Tenant Meter Data Management: A Systems Approach to Hierarchical Value - May 2014
• Energy Storage—The Benefits of "Behind-the-Meter" Storage Adding Value with Ancillary Services - May 2014
• Demand Response: Testing the Theoretical Basis for DR - May 2014
• Building Consumer Acceptance to Maximize the Value of Grid Modernization - May 2014
• Communications: The Smart Grid's Enabling Technology - May 2014
• Costs and Benefits of Conservation Voltage Reduction: CVR Warrants Careful Examination - May 2014
• Costs and Benefits of Smart Feeder Switching: Quantifying the Operating Value of SFS - May 2014
• Delaware County Electric Cooperative: DR Capability and Predictability - May 2014
• Washington-St. Tammany Case Study Stress-Testing Designs Before Deployment - May 2014
• AMI-Based Load Research - KIUC Demonstration - May 2014

Technology Performance Reports

The Technology Performance Reports for the Regional Demonstration projects are shown in the table below.