Since the GETs industry is relatively new, potential device users do not always know how much an investment in GETs will cost. Similarly, there is no valuation framework to estimate the benefit provided by GETs. One challenge with valuation is that many benefits may come from avoiding additional costs, such as using higher priced generators or even avoiding an outage caused by congestion. INL has identified multiple factors to consider in a cost/benefit analysis:

• Cost of devices
• Cost of design work (impact analysis, device placement, sizing needs, siting analysis)
• Cost of installation (extra materials, labor, etc.)
• Cost of maintenance (monitoring device health)
• Cost of licensing (continuing to receive support and/or connection to devices from vendors)
• Avoided costs of energy (e.g., using more wind energy instead of a peaker plant generator)
• Avoided costs of outages (e.g., can safely push more power over a line or can redirect power to reduce congestion)
• Ability to serve more load
• Ability to perform maintenance in opportune windows

No potential GETs user will consider deploying these technologies without first understanding how they will impact their system. INL is working with project partners to build generic models of GETs technologies that can be used for power system modeling and simulation. Many GETs devices could change some of the fundamental building blocks of power system modeling. For example, line impedances are assumed to be static, but with PFC, they could be a controllable value. Line limits are also assumed to be static, but Dynamic Line Rating uses factors outside of traditional power system modeling to make this a dynamic value. While this adds complexity to an already dynamic and complicated problem, the solution unlocks potential for the grid of the future. Power flow modeling of the system can determine congestion and curtailment under both standard N-0 configurations for economic dispatch, as well as the congestion and curtailment under the N-1 contingencies (when one line is temporarily out of commission), which create tighter restrictions on the system. Under regular operations, there is typically high headroom on the line between its load and thermal capabilities, with large constraints only apparent in periods of high system electrical use or during N-1 contingency security. By building PFC and DLR into power system modeling, the impact of these GETs on peak times or contingency situations can be isolated, rather than generic statements claiming increases in capacity.

Through a demonstration at the INL Site, the research team has documented challenges deploying GETs. By documenting the process and finding solutions, the team hopes to provide resources that promote the adoption of GETs and may avoid discouraging potential GETs users from adopting the technology.

• INL worked with vendors to use its on-site cellular network, promoting security of wireless communications.
• INL helped vendors navigate the registration process to be a subcontractor for government funds, which may help if future projects are partially funded by government awards.
• INL worked with vendors to customize solutions to the field constraints at the Site. Adapting deployment or installation practices to the customer’s needs will be important for GETs, which can be deployed for a wide range of potential applications.

Resources from the demonstration project, such as the request for proposal, test plans and lessons learned, will be published for industry reference.

A recently published report, Grid Enhancing Technologies: A Case Study on Ratepayer Impact, focused on a set of lines in western New York that was analyzed to improve integration of new wind and solar power through DLR and PFC technologies. The GETs cases provide options to address curtailment at a fraction of the cost. The payback period appears to be faster for GETs than traditional upgrades, even though the life cycle is shorter. The study determined a range of costs for estimated GETs versus the curtailment avoided.

INL is working with several industry partners to research and advance the knowledge of Grid Enhancing Technologies and integrate solutions.

Project Partners

• EnerNex
• Power Engineers
• Telos Energy

Project Technology Providers

• WindSim Power
• Ampacimon
• Smart Wires

Grid-enhancing technologies offer solutions to congestion problems, but cost is a concern. Engineers from Pitch Aeronautics have developed a drone system technology to reduce installation time, effort and cost. INL’s GETs experts collaborated with Pitch Aeronautics to develop a drone deployable Dynamic Line Rating sensor. The INL Technical Assistance Program provided 40 hours of free technical assistance, leading to a follow-on project demonstrating drone installation on a 13.8kV distribution line.