News | Planned Meetings | Deliverables | Training

Advanced Power Flow Control (APFC) technologies are power electronic-based devices that can actively change the way power flows through the transmission system without making changes to generator dispatch or the topology of the network. These devices can divert power flow from congested lines to other circuits with spare capacity, making more efficient use of the transmission assets.

Giving its power electronics essence APFC can adjust in a few milliseconds helping to address outages or other situations in the system.

One of the most significant barriers to the deployment of APFC, especially in the U.S., has been the lack of utility understanding of how to consider and operate this technology. Therefore, it is essential to increase transmission planners’ and engineers’ understanding of APFC technologies.

SmartValve™ Interest Group or SVIG: In addition, EPRI is leading the SmartValve™ Interest Group or SVIG, this interest group consist of SmartValve™ owners and operators to share their experiences with the installation, maintenance and performance thereby improving the operation of the entire fleet. The user group will also inform EPRI’s research and testing initiative ensuring that it provides maximum value to the users. Smart Wires may also get value from the information shared to improve the technology and associated support. The interest group will also be a forum where EPRI gets guidance for and shares the latest test and research results with users. The companies that are part of the SVIG own 77% of the SmartValve™ population in version 1.03 and 1.04

News | Planned Meetings | Deliverables | Training

Operations and Planning are fundamental in understanding and supporting the decision making behind any asset. The latter turns to be fundamental to assess GETs benefits in the actual grid. Giving this context the planning part will help design GETs solutions and inform compliance with FERC Orders 1920 and 2023. On the other hand considering the complex nature of transmission operations, develop frameworks for when and how GETs can be applied to the system as well as new technologies such as Transmission Topology Optimization – TTO.

In operations, the use of production cost and power system operation models with multi-stage scheduling (e.g., day-ahead, and real-time) to assess the utilization and potential economic and reliability impacts of various grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) in operational planning. Transmission Topology Optimization (TTO) is a software technology that searches for lower-cost, reliable transmission grid configurations by opening and closing circuit breakers in substations. These actions alleviate or reduce operational constraints through reduced transmission congestion on the grid which would otherwise require costly generation to be re-dispatched.

TTO could benefit from a broad understanding of challenges related to its reliable implementation and market impact. As TTO can be integrated into multiple processes along the planning and operations continuum, mapping it to business processes can help ISOs/RTOs/BAs understand when and how to integrate.

Objective: Planning framework to help design GETs solutions and inform compliance with FERC O1920 and O2023
Outcome: Detailed process, data, parameters, and reference cost. Case Study Story Map on GETs Planning

The Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Grid-Enhancing Technologies for a Smart Energy Transition (GET SET) Initiative is designed to support utility implementation efforts through comprehensive evaluation, testing, aggregation of industry experiences, and the development of practical application guidance. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to generate and disseminate insights related to the use and benefits of these technologies, their integration into operational and planning processes, as well as considerations around life expectancy and reliability.

News | Planned Meetings | Deliverables | Training

The amount of power that can be transmitted through a transmission line is influenced by both technical and environmental factors, such as conductor resistance, wind direction, wind speed, and ambient temperature, among others. Consequently, the power transfer limit of a transmission line is not a fixed value; rather, it varies over time. In light of this, emerging technologies such as Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) have been developed to assess line and weather conditions in real time, enabling a dynamic assessment of a line’s capacity. DLR is a technique used to determine the maximum allowable power flow through overhead transmission lines based on a specified operating temperature. What sets DLR apart from traditional methods is its reliance on real-time data to reflect localized weather conditions, including wind speed and direction, updated at frequent intervals. Due to its relatively low cost and rapid deployment, DLR has gained considerable attention over the past decade as an effective solution for enhancing the capacity of overhead transmission lines.

News | Planned Meetings | Deliverables | Training

Advanced conductors use new and existing materials to increase the thermal capacity of power lines and are designed to operate at high temperatures (typically above 150° C).

In recent years, conductor manufacturers have begun producing new conductors that can operate at higher temperatures while respecting critical safety considerations, such as managing sag that can reduce electrical clearances to ground and other objects and the probability of exceeding the conductor system temperature rating. Some of these technologies are made of traditional materials such as aluminum and steel. Other technologies use metal matrix or organic matrix (carbon) cores. Organic matrix core technology incorporates new materials that have not previously been used for overhead line conductors. Some of the uncertainty surrounding the use of advanced conductors can be attributed to the lack of specifications when procuring these conductors. EPRI has done work on developing guidelines to aid utilities in developing these specifications, including tests and standards requirements.