Zaininger Engineering Company, Inc.

ZECO Distribution Study Experience

The following selected projects and experience highlight ZECO’s credentials.

Commonwealth PIER Renewables Mini-Grid Program Power Flow Study

This five year California Energy Commission PIER project completed in March 2006, consisted of a subcontract with Commonwealth Energy Corporation/Commerce energy Group. ZECO’s role in the first phase of the project completed in 2004 was to collect representative transmission and distribution information for a mini-grid in the Chino basin in Southern California served by SCE, develop a local area T&D model, develop a matrix of renewable distributed resource (DR) cases, evaluate T&D system impacts, and determine potential renewable DR value. The matrix of renewable DR evaluated in this study included enhanced landfill gas production using bioreactors, enhanced energy recovery through optimization of anaerobic digestion and microturbines, dairy waste to energy, and building integrated PV on public and commercial buildings.

 PIER Mini-Grid Renewables High Penetration Interconnection and Dynamics Study

This five year California Energy Commission PIER project completed in March 2006, consisted of a subcontract with Commonwealth Energy Corporation/Commerce energy Group. ZECO’s role in the second phase of the project completed in March 2006 consisted of performing 1) a detailed interconnection study which considered relaying requirements, integrated control of distribution system voltage, reactive power scheduling, communication requirements and short circuit duty impacts with high penetration levels of the distributed biogas and BI-PV generation installed; and 2) a dynamic study of the transient response of high penetration levels of distributed biogas and BI-PV generation to disturbances on nearby feeders or substations to test the stability of the DG during appropriate transient events.

Interconnecting Distributed Resources to Electric Utility Systems

This project, completed in August 1998, consisted of a contract with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The purpose of this project was to review and compare distributed generation and storage current interconnection practices of 11 electric utilities, study relevant standards and codes, and develop a unified approach to be used as a basis for determining interconnection requirements for distributed resources across several classes of equipment types and ratings.  The final report, EPRI TR-111489, entitled Integration of Distributed Resources in Electric Utility Systems: Current Interconnection Practice and Unified Approach was published in November 1998.

 Sears Tower Cogeneration Plant Interconnection Testimony

This project for the law firm of Sidley & Austin was completed in January 1998. This project consisted of performing a technical review of reliability and safety issues concerning the interconnection of 12,800 kW of cogeneration to the Commonwealth Edison distribution network in the Sears Tower. Testimony and supporting documents prepared by Sears Tower cogeneration developer and appropriate ComEd distribution network interconnection standards were reviewed. H.W. Zaininger then prepared and presented testimony, including cross examination, describing the results of the technical review at an Illinois Commerce Commission hearing.

Analysis of the Integration of Wind Turbines into the Orcas Island Electric Distribution System

This jointly funded project, completed in July 1998, consisted of subcontracts to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The purpose of this project was to collect, process and analyze two years of hourly wind data from a suitable wind site on Orcas Island, WA; gather minute-to-minute wind data during high resolution periods of interest: analyze potential operational impacts of a MW-scale wind farm on an Orcas Power & Light Company electric power distribution circuit on Orcas Island; prepare and present a technical paper entitled, “Integrating Wind Turbines into the Orcas Island Distribution System: Study Results,” at the American Wind Energy Association Windpower ’98 Conference in Bakersfield, CA, (co-author: B. Parsons), in April 1998.

Applying Wind Turbines and Battery Storage to Defer Orcas Power & Light Distribution Circuit Upgrades

This project, completed in November 1995, consisted of a jointly funded contract with Sandia National Laboratories and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This project consisted of collecting hourly wind data for one year, and performing a detailed assessment of the Orcas Power and Light system to determine the potential for deferring the costly upgrade of a distribution circuit, by the application of a MW-scale wind farm and battery storage facilities as appropriate.  The final report, “Applying Wind Turbines and Battery Storage to Defer Orcas Power and Light Company Distribution Circuit Upgrades,” ORNL-Sub/96-SV115/1, Lockheed Martin Research Corporation for the U.S. Department of Energy, (co-author: P.R. Barnes), was published in March 1997.

 Integration of Renewable Resources into Seven Utility Distribution Systems

This project, completed in July 1995, consisted of a 30-month subcontract Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The primary purpose of this study was to 1) develop an assessment methodology to unbundle generation, transmission and distribution services and perform technical and economic assessments for distributed renewable energy sources (solar and wind) and energy storage integrated into electric power distribution systems, 2) perform a broad scoping study of the United States to determine regions favorable for the integration of renewable resources into electric distribution systems, and 3) conduct a detailed assessment with actual generation, transmission and distribution technical and economic data for seven different utilities, Southern California Edison, Green Mountain Power, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Georgia Power Company, Florida Power & Light, Lenoir City Utilities Board, Orcas Power & Light.  A final report ORNL-6775/V1 and V2 entitled The Integration of Renewable Energy Sources Into Electric Power Distribution Systems, Vol. I National Assessment, Vol. 2 Utility Case Studies was published in June 1994.

 Investigate Interconnecting New Wind Farm Near Lalamilo

This project, completed in January 1999, consisted of a contract with Hawaii Electric Light Company.  The purpose of this project was to perform appropriate transmission and distribution system analysis to investigate the feasibility of interconnecting up to 10 MW of new wind capacity to the T&D system near Lalamilo on a 12 kV circuit.

 Kahua Ranch Wind Farm Interconnection Study

The purpose of this Hawaiian Electric Company study, completed in December 1999 was to investigate the feasibility of interconnecting a 9.75 MW wind farm to an existing Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) 34.5 kV circuit near Kahua Ranch. This study addressed potential local power quality issues, transmission system limits, generation system operational limits, and interconnection requirements.

 NWCC and NREL Distributed Wind Research Project

This jointly funded project by the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), completed in December 1998, consisted of a subcontract to Princeton Economic Research, Inc. (PERI). H.W. Zaininger’s role consisted of listing and describing potential benefits which may accrue to small distributed wind projects installed in utility distribution systems; describing characteristics and conditions required for the various benefits to occur; challenges influencing the opportunities for distributed wind; and defining wind technology capabilities and opportunities for enhancing distributed wind value.

Battery Storage Benefits to Southern California Edison

This 12-month SCE project was completed in June 1991. The purpose of the study was to quantify both positive and negative benefits of batteries in general to SCE, and in particular the Chino battery storage facility connected to SCE at 12 kV, using SCE costs, system configuration, planning criteria and operating policy. Generation system, transmission system, and distribution system impacts and benefits were calculated in this study.

Compare Battery Storage with Conventional T&D Options on the SDG&E System

This joint San Diego Gas and Electric Co. and Sandia National Laboratories project was completed in 1991. ZECO’s role was to perform the evaluation of potential battery applications to SDG&E's T&D system. SDG&E system load flow and stability results were reviewed; anticipated and potential transmission and distribution line and substation additions were identified; appropriate SDG&E T&D reliability and design practices were reviewed.  A list of potential battery storage applications and associated kW and kWh design requirements to replace or defer new T&D facilities was developed.  Cost savings to SDG&E from employing batteries to defer distribution and subtransmission facilities were quantified.

 Enhancing Wind and Photovoltaic Plant Value to SMUD with Battery Storage

This joint Sandia National Laboratories and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) project, completed in April 1995, consisted of a subcontract to Energetics, Inc, and a contract with SMUD. The purpose of the study was to determine the potential economic viability of employing battery storage to enhance the economic and operational value of non-dispatchable wind and photovoltaic renewable technologies to the SMUD system.  Appropriate wind and solar electrical performance data were collected, and the costs and benefits of battery storage employed to enhance economic benefits at the SMUD Solano wind plant and Hedge photovoltaic plant were quantified using SMUD planning assumptions and financial data in the 1994 to 1995 time frame.  The final report SAND98-1904 entitled Analysis of the Value of Battery Storage with Wind and Photovoltaic Generation to the Sacramento municipal Utility District was published in August 1998.

 Potential Economic Benefits of Battery Storage to Consolidated Edison Company

This joint EPRI and Consolidated Edison Company project was completed in December 1994. The purpose of this project was to identify and quantify potential nonsite-specific battery storage generation system benefits and site-specific battery storage transmission and distribution system benefits to the Consolidated Edison Power System.  First a preliminary evaluation of potential battery storage benefits was performed to estimate their potential contribution to reliability and cost benefits, using technical and economic methodologies compatible with technologies presently employed by Consolidated Edison.  Second, a detailed technical and cost/benefit evaluation was performed for three specific battery applications on the Con Edison system, which were selected during the course of performing the preliminary evaluation.

 Potential Economic Benefits of Battery Storage to Electrical Transmission and Distribution Systems

The purpose of this pioneering EPRI storage study was to quantify T&D benefits of battery storage for an example T&D system. Transmission and distribution analysis included load flow, transient and dynamic stability evaluations, plus financial analysis. The final report, EPRI GS-6687, Potential Economic Benefits of Battery Storage to Electrical Transmission and Distribution System, was published in January 1990.

 Battery Storage Applications Workshops

This EPRI project, completed in June 1994, consisted of a subcontract with Energetics, Inc. The purpose of our portion of this project was to first develop a spreadsheet evaluation tool which performs example cost-benefit analysis to quantify approximately 20 or more different battery storage benefits including both nonsite-specific generation system benefits, site-specific transmission and distribution system benefits and strategic customer-side benefits; second, develop case studies evaluating battery storage economics using the evaluation tool; and third, prepare for and participate in five battery storage application workshops held throughout the United States and one in Dublin, Ireland, to apply the project methodology.

 Alternative Interconnection Strategies for Arrays of Wind Turbine Generators

This project, completed in January 1983, consisted of a subcontract to Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division (Oak Ridge National Laboratory). The purpose of this study was first to develop an appropriate methodology for assessing the relative cost, value, and reliability of alternative WT array interconnection plans to utility T&D systems; and second, to perform an initial assessment of a matrix of cases to demonstrate the T&D assessment methodology, as well as gain insights as to the potential cost, value, and array reliability for a range of wind turbine sizes and types from a T&D perspective.  The final report, ORNL‑SUB‑82‑69604‑1, Investigate Alternative Interconnection Strategies for Arrays of Wind Turbine Generators, was published in January 1983.

 Evaluate Alternative Interconnection Schemes for a 15 MW WT Array

This project, completed in July 1981, consisted of a two-month contract to the City of Santa Clara, CA. The purpose of this project was to compare alternative feasible T&D system interconnection schemes for installing up to 15 MW of wind turbines at a specific site.

 T&D Assessment of Distributed Photovoltaics

This Electric Power Research Institute project, completed in July 1980, consisted of a subcontract to JBF Scientific Corporation. The primary project task was to perform an initial assessment of the potential impact of distributed PV on typical utility subtransmission and distribution network reliability, power flows, and power quality, calculate potential economic credits or penalties, and identify potential technical constraints.  Northeast Utilities, Alabama Power Company, and Los Angeles Department of Water power system planning, operating and economic criteria were used for this study.  The results of this pioneering site-specific T&D assessment of distributed PV are presented in Assessment of the Effects of Distributed Photovoltaic Systems on Utility Subtransmission and Distribution Networks, Proceedings of the 15th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, June 1981.

 EV Charging Design Charettes

The EPRI project, completed in May 1992, consisted of a subcontract to W.I. Whiddon and Associates. Our role consisted of preparing a 10 page paper describing potential transmission and distribution system issues associated with implementing EV quick charge (8-15 min) and other EV charging scenarios, participate in and make a 15 to 20 minute presentation at two EV Charging Design Charettes.

 Investigate HEMP Interaction with T&D Systems

This project, completed in January 1985, consisted of a 13-month contract with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge National Laboratory). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate corona effects on the early time response to HEMP on T&D lines, determine insulation stresses on line supports and substation equipment, and determine HEMP interaction with a simplified distribution system.  The final reports, ORNL‑SUB‑84‑73986‑2, HEMP Interaction with an Electrical Power Distribution Circuit, and ORNL‑SUB‑84‑73986‑1, HEMP Induced Transients in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Lines, were published in August 1985 and September 1985 respectively.

 Develop Initial Version of EPRI Technical Assessment Guide

While employed by EPRI, H.W. Zaininger played a major role in the development of the initial version of the EPRI Technical Assessment Guide, which has been used extensively throughout the world to make technical and economic cost/benefit evaluations of alternative electric power system supply-side and demand-side RD&D activities.

Developed EPRI Synthetic Utility Systems

H.W. Zaininger developed the EPRI Synthetic Utility Systems for evaluating advanced technologies while employed by Power Technologies, Inc. Six synthetic utility generation and transmission systems and a "plug in" distribution system were developed, along with appropriate typical utility data for making utility-oriented generation, transmission and distribution system technical and economic cost/benefit assessments.  These systems and data have been widely used in the United States and throughout the world.  The final report, Report No. EPRI EM-285, “Synthetic Electric Utility Systems for Evaluating Advanced Technologies,” (co-authors: H.W. Zaininger, et al.) was published in February 1977.

Generation, Transmission and Distribution Planning for Illinois Power

While responsible for generation planning at Illinois Power Company, H.W. Zaininger performed numerous technical and economic assessments of alternative generation expansion and existing unit retirement strategies, and made recommendations to IP management leading to the announcement of the 450 MW Havana 6 coal‑fired cycling unit installed in 1978, and the 950 MW Clinton nuclear unit completed in 1986.  In the transmission area, he performed several load flow studies, and a stability study for the Clinton power plant, including developing appropriate stability data for the Clinton nuclear unit, representation of other interconnected generation, and transmission characteristics.  In the distribution area, he performed a study of the city of Jacksonville municipal distribution system to determine requirements and costs to interconnect the Jacksonville system to the IP system, and made recommendations to IP management leading to the purchase of this distribution system.

Power System Planning and Operating Economics Course

H.W. Zaininger taught an advanced course on Power System Planning and Operating Economics for electrical power engineers and regulatory personnel in planning and analytical operations at The Center for Professional Advancement in New Jersey for 20 years, from 1978 through 1997. The course topics included consideration of central station and distributed resources, T&D planning and operation, least cost planning and evaluation of alternative energy systems.

Transmission and Distribution Line Design for Illinois Power

While employed by Illinois Power Company as a transmission and distribution line design engineer, H.W. Zaininger designed several transmission and distribution lines ranging from 12 kV to 345 kV.  His work included electrical design, structure design, foundation design, tower spotting, and the preparation of complete construction specifications.  In particular, he developed a first‑generation computerized method of tower analysis for both wood and steel structures using statically indeterminate stiffness analysis techniques.  He then used this early-computerized methodology to analyze approximately ten different transmission tower types.  He also performed various reliability and economic assessments of alternative overhead and underground T&D system designs.