As electrification accelerates and large-load interconnection requests increase, utilities need to connect customers in capacity-constrained areas without waiting years for traditional infrastructure upgrades. Building on its Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) foundation, a major West Coast utility expanded its program by integrating it into standard distribution planning workflows.
Logic20/20 partnered with the utility to integrate new workflows into the distribution planning process supporting Flexible Service Connection, combining standardized analysis methodology, automation, and workflow integration into a repeatable operating model. The result is a more consistent approach to evaluating constrained sites, giving customers earlier insight into available capacity and supporting a scalable interconnection planning process.
We brought our expertise in
- Flexible Service Connection strategy and implementation
- Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS)
- Distribution planning and grid operations
- Process redesign and workflow standardization
- Analysis automation (including integration with existing APIs)
- Utility operating model transformation
A power player in advancing grid modernization
With a service territory spanning 70,000 square miles in California, our client delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 15 million people. As electrification accelerates, the utility continues modernizing its distribution grid to support increasing demand while maintaining safe, reliable and affordable service.
Scaling Flexible Service Connection across the utility
Our client had already demonstrated that Flexible Service Connection could accelerate customer connections in capacity-constrained locations. The next step was embedding the program into existing distribution planning processes and equipping planners with a repeatable approach for evaluating constrained sites.
Achieving this goal required a standardized methodology for evaluating constrained sites, closer coordination between planning and engineering teams, and streamlined workflows to support consistent decision-making. These changes would allow the utility to expand the program while maintaining operational efficiency.
Standardizing the Flexible Service Connection process
Logic20/20 worked with planning and engineering teams to integrate Flexible Service Connection into existing distribution planning operations. We standardized the evaluation process, automated key analyses, and equipped planners with the tools and guidance needed to incorporate the program into their day-to-day work.
We focused on four priorities:
- Designing a repeatable methodology for evaluating constrained sites and estimating available flexible capacity
- Integrating Flexible Service Connection into existing distribution planning workflows
- Automating data collection and capacity analysis to reduce manual effort and improve consistency
- Providing planners with templates, documentation, and training to support consistent implementation
Example scenario: A load-limited site requests 3MW and distribution planning restricts load to 10% of requestedcapacity from 9am-9pm & March – October, and 65% for the rest of the year
Flexible Service Connection enables dynamic import scaling based on grid conditions and generation availability.
Values Outcomes:
- Increased MWh Released –Drives downward rate pressure
- Biggest contributors arelarge sites or projectswith 0kW limit
- Funding opportunitiesfor sites under FC program
Creating a foundation for long-term scale
Planning and engineering teams now evaluate constrained sites using a common methodology that integrates Flexible Service Connection into day-to-day distribution planning process . By reducing reliance on manual analysis, the utility can apply the program more efficiently and consistently across its service territory.
Building on analysis of more than 400 constrained sites, the standardized approach gives planners a repeatable process for estimating available flexible capacity and helps customers make more informed interconnection decisions earlier.
The engagement also prepares the utility for continued automation. As the program evolves, the utility is well positioned to process increasing numbers of interconnection requests, make better use of existing distribution infrastructure, and provide customers with more consistent capacity assessments.
Preparing for continued growth
Standardized processes, automation, and closer coordination across planning and engineering teams have prepared our client to expand Flexible Service Connection as demand grows. These capabilities will help the utility connect additional capacity-constrained customers while maximizing the value of existing grid infrastructure.
Powering a sustainable tomorrow
We partner with utilities to help them build a more resilient grid and move towards a cleaner, brighter future through
- AI-driven automation
- Asset image analytics
- DERMS implementation
- Analytics & predictive insights
- Cloud optimization
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.
Alec Kostovny is a Senior Consultant in Logic20/20’s Grid Operations practice. A highly skilled mechanical engineer with a background in designing and analyzing scientific-research satellites, he also has a strong knowledge base in clean energy. Alec brings in-depth experience on projects related to wind turbine design, solar cell development, hydrogen electrolyzer and battery design, and RES grid dynamics.