Build a scalable approach to flexible service connection
Growing demand for new load and increasing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) are putting pressure on distribution networks. Where capacity or operating constraints limit new connections, traditional infrastructure upgrades may leave customers waiting two years or more for service, delaying projects and associated economic opportunities.
Flexible service connection (FSC) offers utilities another approach. By dynamically managing import and export limits within distribution network operating parameters, FSC enables eligible customers to energize sooner while improving utilization of existing grid assets and potentially deferring or avoiding infrastructure upgrades.
In A practical guide to flexible service connection, Logic20/20 Grid Operations Manager Michael Emmanuel presents a methodology for evaluating flexible capacity and scaling FSC across a utility territory. Explore the data requirements and analysis methods involved, solutions to common implementation challenges, and key considerations for standardizing FSC analysis across multiple sites.
Key takeaways
Quantifying FSC value
Evaluating available flexible capacity
Choosing the right loading data
Addressing common analysis challenges
Scaling analysis across multiple sites
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A glimpse into A practical guide to flexible service connection
Overview of flexible service connection
What is flexible service connection?
Flexible service connections (FSCs) are control approaches to dynamically manage import and export limits of distributed energy resources (DERs) within distribution network operating parameters during constrained periods.
FSC benefits both load and generation participants
Load side:
- Capacity constrained locations can prevent new customers from connecting without capacity projects.
- Load restrictions occur mostly during the peak or constrained periods.
- Connection wait times could be 2+ years if upgrades are required.
Generation side:
- Existing constraints such as voltage and thermal can prevent new customers from connecting without capacity projects.
- Beyond traditional hosting capacity, there is a need to evaluate dynamic operating envelopes.
- Connection wait times could be 2+ years if upgrades are required.
Risks if not implemented
- Capacity under-utilization and unnecessary infrastructure upgrades
- Loss of economic opportunities across area of operation
- Customer satisfaction issues due to increased interconnection wait times
FSC allows DERs to energize sooner without waiting for costly and time-consuming infrastructure upgrades.
Explore a practical approach to faster interconnection
Download the white paper for the complete methodology for evaluating flexible capacity, selecting the right loading data, addressing common analysis challenges, and scaling FSC analysis across multiple sites.
About the author
Michael Emmanuel is a Manager of Grid Operations with over 10 years of experience in utilities. He previously worked as a research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he helped utilities implement DERs and hosted capacity studies on non-wire alternatives and economic dispatch models. Michael’s areas of expertise include DER hosting capacity analysis, DERMS, ADMS, and production cost modeling.