Conservation Voltage Reduction and Volt-VAR Optimization: Measurement and Verification Benchmarking

Zohreh S Hossein,Wen Fan,Amin Khodaei,Sepideh A Fard,Honghao Zheng,Md Shakawat Hossan,Shay Bahramirad,Aleksi Paaso

doi:10.1109/access.2020.2979242

Zohreh S Hossein, Wen Fan + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.2979242

Copy DOI

Abstract

The ongoing efforts in grid modernization, which is accompanied by upgrading distribution grids through employment of advanced distribution grid technologies, further provide the necessary tools to employ Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and Volt-VAR Optimization (VVO) programs and ensure that the system is operating continuously at an optimized voltage. This paper provides an overview of CVR/VVO deployments by several electric utilities within the U.S. The paper looks at three major areas: (i) type of the initiative, including pilot, plan, program, study, and test case; (ii) year(s) of the application; and (iii) methodology used for CVR factor assessment. When available, a more detailed discussion on the initiative is provided. Based on the studied cases, it is concluded that majority of utilities use either a regression-based or a comparison-based method. The day-on/day-off approach is common within both methods in which CVR is applied every other day to generate CVR-on and CVR-off data that can be used for comparison and model fitting.

Highlights

Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and Volt-VAR Optimization (VVO) enable electric utilities to reduce energy and peak demand by lowering the voltage at the distribution system
This paper provides an overview of CVR/VVO deployments by several electric utilities within the U.S The paper looks at the type of the initiative, year(s) of the application, and the methodology used for CVR factor assessment
INDIANAPOLIS POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY (IPL) Simultaneous comparison between treatment and control load profiles improves the accuracy and eliminates uncertainty of weather corrections, and this is what IPL adopted for carrying out its CVR program in 2012-2014

Summary

Introduction

Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and Volt-VAR Optimization (VVO) enable electric utilities to reduce energy and peak demand by lowering the voltage at the distribution system. This is a cost-effective way to improve system energy efficiency and to provide benefits to customers. The fundamental principle in CVR is that the acceptable voltage band can be operated in the lower half (114–120 Volts based on ANSI standard [1]), without causing any harm to consumer appliances. Many customer devices draw less energy at lower voltages resulting in energy savings [2]. The U.S DOE reports savings from 1 to 4% based on prior implementation of CVR and VVO programs [3].

Methods

Results

Conclusion