Zaininger Engineering Company, Inc.

ZECO Renewable Resource 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.

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.

MECO System Allowable Wind Penetration in the Late 1990’s

This project, completed in February 1997, consisted of a contract with the Maui Electric Company. The purpose of this project was to 1) determine the maximum allowable wind penetration (on-line wind farm MW capacity) for typical day loads, system peak and minimum load periods in 1998 and 1999 assuming current MECO system operating practices, 2) determine required changes in MECO system operating practices to increase allowable wind penetration, and 3) calculate the resulting increase in wind penetration.

HELCO System Allowable Wind Penetration in the Late 1990’s

This project, completed in February 1997, consisted of a contract with Hawaii Electric Light Company. The purpose of this project was to 1) determine the maximum allowable wind penetration (on-line wind farm MW capacity) for typical day loads, system peak and minimum load periods in 1998 and 1999 assuming current HELCO system operating practices, 2) determine required changes in HELCO system operating practices to increase allowable wind penetration, and 3) calculate the resulting increase in wind penetration.

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.

Small Utility System Performance Under High Windfarm Penetration

This joint EPRI and Hawaii Electric Light Co. project, was completed in October 1990. The purpose of the study was, in Phase 1, to set up instrumentation at three windfarm sites on the HELCO system, develop a test plan, collect coincident minute-to-minute electrical performance data, and in Phase 2, to develop a dynamic model of a small (HELCO) utility system with large windfarm penetration, evaluate the effects of windfarm power variations for a range of operating conditions, and identify potential voltage, frequency and other operating problems associated with high windfarm penetration.

 Wind Power Station Electrical Performance Data

This project, completed in December 1986, consisted of an 18-month project with the Electric Power Research Institute.  The purpose of this project was to collect minute‑to‑minute wind power station electrical performance data including voltage, MW, MVAR, and power factor at several different locations on wind power station collection systems, and to determine results on a generic basis for various wind regimes and levels of aggregation of wind turbine capacity.  The final report, EPRI AP-5220, Electrical Behavior of Wind Power Stations, was published in June 1987.

Sea West Wind Power Station Electrical Performance

This project, completed in November 1986, consisted of making electrical performance calculations for a wind power station under various wind conditions for Sea West, Inc.

Electrical Investigation of Wind Power Stations

This project, completed in June 1986, consisted of a 15-month contract with the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California. The purpose of this project was to support the EPRI project manager in definition, direction, and evaluation of electrical design and operating requirements of utility grade wind power stations, including analyzing voltage, power factor, power quality, and transient phenomena at wind power stations.

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.

 HELCO Wind Penetration Study - 1986

This project, completed in February 1986, consisted of a contract with Hawaii Electric Light Company. The purpose of this project was to determine the maximum allowable wind penetration on the HELCO system for various operating conditions, considering system generation, transmission and distribution system dynamic constraints, and alternative power system operating criteria.

 MECO Wind Penetration Study - 1986

This project, completed in July 1986, consisted of a contract with the Maui Electric Company. The purpose of this project was to determine the maximum allowable wind penetration on the MECO system for various operating conditions, considering system generation, transmission and distribution system dynamic constraints, and alternative power system operating criteria.

 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.

Wind Generation Dynamic Impacts on Electric Utility Systems

This project, completed in July 1980, consisted of a nine-month contract with the Electric Power Research Institute. The purpose of this study was to perform an initial assessment of potential dynamic impacts of wind power stations installed on utility systems.  On a minute‑to‑minute basis, large WT penetration may cause severe system swings, excessive frequency excursions, or system instability due to wind variability.  The purpose of this study was to examine whether minute‑to‑minute system dynamics will limit WT penetration.  Hawaiian Electric Company was used for this example study.

Wind Turbine Dynamic Impacts on Interconnected Utility Systems

This project, completed in December 1980, consisted of a four-month contract with the Electric Power Research Institute. The purpose of this study was to perform an initial assessment of potential minute‑to‑minute dynamic impacts of wind power stations on interconnected utility systems and compare the results with the previous study using the isolated Hawaiian Electric Company.  Kansas Gas and Electric Company and Public Service Company of Colorado were used as examples in this study.