KCP&L has selected Siemens Energy to undertake it’s a Smart Grid demonstration project that will showcase the role of the latest technologies of Siemens in enabling advanced network operations of utilities in the future.
KCP&L will use Siemens distribution management system, Spectrum Power, to interface with the Siemens Smart Substation Controller, its Midtown substation as well as control all of the company’s smart distribution field equipment.
The four major components of the project, which is aimed at enabling and managing KCP&L’s Green Impact Zone, are distribution network management, distribution network automation, management of distributed energy resource and demand response, and meter data management and advanced metering infrastructure.
The project is focused on using a combination of these functions to set the framework for enabling and managing the Green Impact Zone, by integrating them with KCP&L’s existing systems to function as a fundamental part of the enterprise.
Verification of a range of information exchange and standard modeling protocols needed for the implementation of a cost-effective, functional, and intelligent grid will be carried out as part of the program. Defining, validating and verifying the required parameters as well as making the potential adjustments needed for the solution’s future implementation will also be undertaken. These steps will enable KCP&L to plan and execute a system-wide implementation of the proven processes and technologies.
The project is partly funded by Smart Grid Investment Grant Demonstration Project program of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. KCP&L will invest about $48.1 million and render significant benefits to 14,000 customers located in the Green Impact Zone area.
The Smart Substation Controllers and Spectrum Power support important levels of automation on feeders and their complex reconfiguration decisions, facilitating integrated supervision through control centers. As a primary integration point for the facilities, electrical system, consumer, distributed energy resource, loads and real-time feeder and substation information, the distribution management system includes distribution supervisory control, outage management, data acquisition, integration with the existing management system for mobile workforce, distribution network analysis and geographic information system, in addition to other supporting systems.
Coordinating with the control center, the Smart Substation controller provides an intelligent infrastructure for substation information technology, equipped with the ability to make decisions in feeder and substation reconfiguration, operations verification, control field equipment as well as track local grid capacity. The "proactive" distribution grid management will aid the integration of variable and renewable energy resources, controllable demand and its response. Adding distributed energy resources to the Smart Substation and DMS will result in efficient management of Volt/VAr conditions that manage crew safety in addition to the modification of protection equipment settings.
According to KCP&L Director for Smart Grid functions, Ed Matthews, Siemens' technology assists KCP&L in enhancing its services in the Kansas City Midtown region by offering customers reduced energy delivery costs, improved reliability, energy- efficient power consumption, enhanced information flow and improved carbon footprint. This project is sited as a blueprint for future implementation of Smart Grid technology, accelerating the realization that it is the 'utility of the future' that safely delivers electricity at lower costs, greater efficiency, and enhanced environmental performance.
With a thorough understanding of the energy conversion chain, Siemens is said to possess the ability to transform the current grid into a comprehensive, smart, flexible, quick-to respond, living infrastructure that will meet the energy needs of the society. For an all-inclusive Smart Grid solution, Siemens also includes solutions for industrial and commercial applications in addition to smart homes including, IT systems integration, building automation, energy efficient appliances and advanced lighting technology.