Dynamic Voltage Control for the Integration of Renewables

Lead Proponent:   New Brunswick Power Corporation
Location:  Fredericton, NB
EIP Contribution: $ 1 M
Project Total: $ 2.507 M
Strategic Area:  Renewable Energy, Smart Grids, and Storage

Project Objectives:

This project plans to increase the hosting capacity of renewable energy sources in New Brunswick in order to reduce GHG emissions.  Variable renewable energy sources require balancing and optimizing of feeder voltages to ensure grid stability. One solution to this challenge is dynamic voltage control, which allows the grid to respond dynamically to changes in voltage. This project will demonstrate dynamic voltage control by installing advanced and responsive devices and control systems on select substations.

This project will employ a phased approach to produce a scalable solution. Specific objectives of the project include the following:

• Enable increased renewable energy generation penetration which will displace GHG emitting plants;
• Reduce community energy consumption by enabling dynamic voltage conservation strategies; and
• Shift peak demand by enabling peak reduction voltage control strategies which will offset GHGs emitted from peaker-plants.

Expected Results:

Increased hosting capacity of renewable generation is expected to increase renewable energy penetration and reduce GHG emissions by displacing GHG emitting plants.