Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (Managing Distribution System Resources for Improved Service Quality & Reliability, Transmission Congestion Relief & Grid Support Functions)
Aug. 31, 2013
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
The overarching project objective is to develop and demonstrate a distribution automation solution that aggregates distributed generation (DG), energy storage, and demand response technologies in a distribution system to achieve both distribution and transmission level benefits. Ideally, the application of these new technologies would increase system reliability and improve power quality along with reducing costs to both the utility and its customers. The project is broken up into two phases. In Phase One, energy management architecture will be developed and validated to meet all needs, focusing on energy management at the distribution level. In Phase Two, the capabilities will be demonstrated at a Maui Electric Company, Ltd. (MECO) substation at Wailea on Maui. A major goal of the program is to incorporate advanced technology into the Maui grid that will allow for a reduction of peak energy consumption of at least 15% of the automated feeder upon completion. The 200 MW island system will include roughly 72 MW of wind generation and over 15 MW of solar PV. As of June 5, 2013 12 MW of storage have been installed on the island.
