Challenges of Integrating New Technology into the Distribution System

Power & Energy Society

Jorge Valenzuela Lead Engineer, Distribution Control and Integration National Grid, Waltham, MA, USA Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Time: Refreshments – 6pm, Talk – 6:30pm Location: National Grid, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA 02451 (Rooms: Valley A&B)

In recent years several states across the country have started to explore plans to “modernize the grid” as a way to keep up with the diversification and quality of services customers are beginning to demand from the electric grid. Through several decades, a hierarchical architecture of energy distribution based in the lowest possible cost was established. Such infrastructure development rarely left room for what was considered non-essential features such as communication and remote control of millions of devices distributed across the system. However, what were considered “premium” features in the past are becoming essential requirements for the present and future. Nowadays, end users expect to have cheap and reliable electricity service, be able to own renewable generation, electric vehicles, use controllable heating/cooling systems and have information about their equipment and services available at their fingertips at all times. These expectations, driven by the changing nature of the available technology and the society’s aspiration to have a more efficient way of producing and consuming energy, are facing the challenges derived from the state of the existing infrastructure and processes established through decades of operation. This presentation will go over recent examples of implementation of new technologies into the Distribution System and will highlight, from a utility perspective, some of the not so evident aspects that can impact the speed of their adoption.

Jorge Valenzuela is a Lead Engineer of the Distribution C&I Department at National Grid. In recent years he has been the technical lead for the adoption of new technologies in National Grid’s territory, including the implementation of several portions of National Grid’s Smart Grid Pilot and the Solar Phase II program. In 2016 he was the recipient of the National Grid Chairman’s award in the innovation category for his contribution to the implementation of the “Digital Grid”. His other research interests include: design and characterization of Solar Cells and wide bandgap semiconductors, Electric Vehicle technologies adoption, MEMs and Big Data Analytics.

Free and Open to the Public; RSVP is appreciated Visit the IEEE PES Boston Chapter website for further details – http://www.ieeepesboston.org/

If you have any questions, please contact Amsa (781-907-3564) or Subhadarshi (781-907-2483)