Zaininger Engineering Company, Inc.

ZECO Transmission Study Experience

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

Assessment of Sunrise Powerlink CPCN Planning Process

This project for the California Public Utilities Commission Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) currently underway consists of a subcontract to Woodruff Expert Services. To date project tasks consist of performing a review and assessment of the reasonableness of portions of the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project, associated SDGE direct testimony, other documents supplied by or downloaded from SDGE and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) web sites, and reviewing and analyzing issues in the Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement as directed. In addition, H.W. Zaininger has prepared and presented testimony at appropriate California Public Utilities Commission hearings.

Scoping Study of Real Time Tools for Forecasting Dynamic Operating Margins

This California Energy Commission (CEC) Transmission Research Program (TRP) PIER project completed in December 2006 consisted of a subcontract to the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) University of California Office of the President. Tasks included ZECO determining functional capabilities necessary to determine the Southern California Import Transmission (SCIT) capability, defining current problems and issues associated with calculating the SCIT, performing a scoping study comparing promising optimization models to forecast dynamic operating margins on transmission import capability into Southern California and other key California transmission paths, and providing consultation to the TRP in developing a dynamic margins research plan.

Review of Transmission Plans in 2006 NPC and SPPC IRP’s

This project for the Nevada Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP)  consisted of a subcontract to Woodruff Expert Services.  ZECO’s role consisted of reviewing Nevada Power Company (NPC) and Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) 2006 Integrated Resource Plan filings and data requests and responses; preparing assessments of alternative North/South transmission intertie and other transmission expansion scenarios, as directed by the WES project manager.

Assessment of Palo Verde – Devers #2 CPCN Planning Process

This project for the California Public Utilities Commission Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) consisted of a subcontract to Woodruff Expert Services. This project consisted of performing a review and assessment of the reasonableness of portions of the SCE Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed Palo Verde - Devers  #2 project (DPV2), associated SCE direct testimony and other documents supplied by SCE or downloaded WECC and CAISO web sites. H.W. Zaininger then prepared and presented testimony, including cross-examination, assessing the impact of DPV2 on import capability into California from the Southwest, and the reasonableness of SCE’s specifications for DPV2 at a California Public Utilities Commission hearing.

Develop Iraq Bulk Transmission System Model

This USAID project, completed at the end of March 2004, consisted of a subcontract with BearingPoint, Incorporated. The project consisted of H. W. Zaininger traveling to Baghdad and providing transmission system engineering services to the Baghdad team staff.  ZECO tasks included working closely with the Baghdad staff and Iraq power system operators, collecting appropriate electrical generation, transmission, and load data, building a 2002 pre-war peak load power flow model to calibrate power flows and voltage with previous operating experience, and developing an expected 2004 summer peak load power flow base case for the Iraq bulk power system.

Large Paper and Pulp Mills Dynamics Study

This project for Bonneville Power Administration was completed in 2004. The purpose of this project was to perform a parametric dynamic study of potential voltage dip and duration, and relative synchronous motor rotor angle swings at two large paper and pulp mills resulting from a number of potential nearby fault conditions. ZECO tasks included setting up a preliminary stability base case with appropriate dynamic data, making preliminary stability runs for various faults with and without high-speed fault clearing, adding various levels of capacitors at the mills point of delivery, and preparing plots using the GE PSLF/PSDS program. A report presenting parametric results for the two mills was completed in May 2004.

BPA Power Plant Stability Limits Study

This project for Bonneville Power Administration was completed in 2003. The purpose of this project was to perform a stability analysis for a three-unit power plant in the Northwest US to determine expected increases in plant output capability with high-speed fault clearing. ZECO tasks included setting up a preliminary stability base case with appropriate dynamic data, making preliminary stability runs for various faults with and without high-speed fault clearing, and preparing plots using the GE PSLF/PSDS program. A report presenting results was completed in September 2003.

CEC Transmission System Engineering Assistance

This subcontract to Aspen Environmental Group, completed in December 2003 consisted of providing transmission system engineering services to the California Energy Commission staff to conduct application for certification review of proposed new power plants in both Northern and Southern California. ZECO provided transmission system engineering services to the CEC for the SMUD Cosumnes Power Plant Project, the Palomar Energy Project, the Roseville Energy Facility, the Rio Linda/Elverta Power Plant Project, the Colusa Power Project, and the East Altamont Energy Center. ZECO tasks include performing cursory transmission engineering review of alternative plant sites, performing load flow studies using the GE PSLF program, reviewing system impact studies, attending CEC workshops and hearings, and preparing preliminary and final transmission system engineering staff assessment testimony for several proposed power plants in California.

 BPA Worst Case Voltage Dip and Duration Dynamics Study

This project for Bonneville Power Administration was completed in June 2002. The dynamics study was performed to determine expected voltage dip and duration at a large mill containing large induction and synchronous motors over the first few seconds following various faults applied to 115 kV and 230 kV lines in the vicinity of the mill. The study was performed with the GE PSLF/PSDS program.

GE Transmission System Analysis Services

This project for General Electric was completed in March 2002. The purpose of this project was to assist GE in performing a transmission system impact study for a potential large new generation project in New York State. ZECO tasks included developing base cases, performing thermal, voltage and interface transfer analysis using the GE PSLF program, and assisting in writing a transmission system impact study report.

 Sandia Bulk Power System Modeling

This project for Sandia National Laboratories was completed in March 2002. Tasks included identifying appropriate regional US bulk power system models, setting up base cases in GE PSLF format, and assisting Sandia in setting up procedures for performing appropriate reliability analysis.

 BPA Stability Analysis

This project for Bonneville Power Administration was completed in September 2001. The purpose of this project was to perform a stability analysis for several proposed generators in the Northwest US. ZECO tasks included developing appropriate dynamic data, setting up stability bases cases, making an appropriate stability analysis, and plots using the GE PSLF program. 

PG&E NEG Transmission Consulting Services

This project for PG&E NEG was completed in June 2001. The purpose of this work was to perform a preliminary transmission system investigation of several potential generating sites.

SCE Transmission System Impact Studies

This project for Southern California Edison was completed in September 2000. The purpose of this project was to perform a complete transmission system impact study for a potential new large generation project using the GE PSLF program and appropriate SCE, Cal-ISO, WSCC and NERC transmission reliability assessment criteria. For this system impact study tasks included 1) performing steady state load flow and contingency analysis, 2) performing transient stability analysis 3) performing post-transient voltage deviation analysis and 4) writing a transmission system impact report.

 SDGE Long-Term Regional Transmission Study Assistance

This project for San Diego Gas & Electric Co. was completed in October 2000. The purpose of this project was to assist SDGE in performing a long-term regional transmission study. The assigned tasks included 1) performing steady state load flow and contingency analysis, and 2) performing post-transient voltage deviation and reactive margin analysis using the GE PSLF program, and 3) providing assistance in report preparation.

 California ISO Transmission Operating Reliability Requirements Study

H.W. Zaininger played a significant role in this project for the Trust Advisory Committee and California Independent System Operator as a member of the power Technologies, Inc. project team. The purpose of this project completed in July 1997 was to (1) review existing transmission reliability criteria and recast the criteria to incorporate considerations of location and non-location specific ancillary services, (2) compare the existing criteria with two other standards, (3) perform a transmission system assessment to quantify and identify location-dependent must-run generation and ancillary services required to fulfill transmission system operational reliability criteria when beginning CA ISO operation.

MEC 500 MW Cordova Plant Transmission System Reliability Study

This project for MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) completed in September 1999 consisted of a subcontract to Power Technologies, Inc. The purpose of the Study was to determine if adequate electric system capability is expected to be available on MEC's electric system to provide the 500 MW generation plant interconnection. The study included power flow, stability, and power transfer capability analysis. H.W. Zaininger’s role was to perform the power transfer capability analysis. The results of this study were presented to the MAPP Design Review Subcommittee for approval.

New Martinsville Generation Plant Interconnection Testimony

This project for the law firm of Shuman, Annand & Poe was completed in September 1998. (1) Testimony and supporting documents for interconnecting a proposed 115 MW Phase 1, 230 MW Phase 2 New Martinsville generation plant to the Allegheny Power System  transmission system prepared by the generation plant developer, and appropriate APS transmission system planning standards and cost data were reviewed. (2) Appropriate transmission system analysis was performed, local overloads were determined and system upgrades were identified using system data and assumptions similar to those available to the developer. (3) Expected transmission system upgrade costs were compared with the developer’s costs. (4) H.W. Zaininger then prepared testimony describing the significant errors and inadequacies of developer’s interconnection report.

 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 or 69 kV basis.

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.

Modeling Distributed Generation in ESB Transmission Planning Studies

This Ireland Electricity Supply Board (ESB) project was completed in July 1997. H.W. Zaininger’s role was to review ESB transmission planning requirements with distributed generation added to the ESB system. This study evaluated how the installation of significant amounts of distributed generation may affect the planning bases for transmission planning studies. Considerations included voltage range, thermal loading, protection, power quality and generation operation effects.

 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.

 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 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.

 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 and the Chino battery storage facility in particular to SCE, using SCE costs, system configuration, planning criteria and present operating policy.  Generation system, transmission system, and distribution system benefits were calculated in this study.

 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 on 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.

Potential Economic Benefits of Battery Storage to the LaCrosse Area Transmission System

This EPRI project was completed in February 1990.  The purpose of the study was to perform a transmission system analysis to determine potential economic benefits of strategically installing battery storage in lieu of new transmission facilities on the Northern States Power La Crosse, Wisconsin transmission system.

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.

 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.

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.

 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.

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.

 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. He 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.