Author | Lightnews

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Mar 3

The kind of policies that make you wonder why we ever did it any other way.

1

Reposted by Steven Brisley

David Roberts @volts.wtf · Mar 3

Flexible👏interconnection👏policies!

Flexible Interconnections: Smarter, Faster Way to Manage New Load

“If designed well, flexible interconnection policies can help bring down utility’s capital costs by optimizing use of existing grid infrastructure and deferring grid upgrades.”

www.fortnightly.com

3 8 47

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Dec 4

If you see this, post a knight.

2

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Dec 2

Great read! Thanks for sharing. Have you looked much at flexible interconnection / service connections in the context of data centers?

Seems like that’d help limit the “firm” commitment by the utility without moving all of the MWh to BTM generation (and therefore losing revenue).

1

Reposted by Steven Brisley

Severin Borenstein @severinborenstein.bsky.social · Dec 2

My Energy Inst blog today on how much utilities should be obligated to accommodate new large loads: hyperscale server farms and crypto mining. Current paradigm puts risk on incumbent customers and gives new large loads very costly option on utility service.
energyathaas.wordpress.com/2024/12/02/i...

Is there a “Duty to Serve” Hyperscale Loads?

If we don’t rethink the paradigm for new large electricity customers, they could end up burdening existing ratepayers. Nationally, and in California, electricity demand from the grid has been flat …

energyathaas.wordpress.com

3 10 32

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 28

Sadly I’m day tripping on Thursday — so will be on a plane back home :(

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 28

Will be there! Would love to be added :)

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 21

True — I think this is something we must solve soon. Aggs need to know the safe operating bounds for the resources they’re managing. And regulators need to make the DSO <> Agg data exchange a requirement for both parties — with clear, easy to use data structure and exchange mechanism (CIM + 2030.5).

1 1 1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

If you read this far, you're officially an #EnergySky member. Congratulations!

Hit me (or @astridatkinson.bsky.social) up with any questions. The sector is evolving (and our POV will evolve as well), so we love hearing others' perspectives.

✌️ (and capybaras)

1 8

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

Finally, we were asked to touch on standards for DSO<>ISO coordination.

Our view:
- Best data format: CIM
- Best messaging protocol: 2030.5 (with profile extensions)

Runner-up messaging protocol: OpenADR

More nuanced required, but that's the headline ⚡

1 1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

We *don't* recommend price signals for communicating constraints.

Why?
1) Constraints are intended to bound what's possible, not spur specific action (which is where price signals excel)
2) The locational nature of constraints would require granular pricing (negating the "less complex" benefit)

1 1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

What about the DSO <> aggregators? This discussion focused on how to communicate Dx grid constraints.

Some options are better than others.

We recommend operating envelopes, as demonstrated in Australia. An alternative is a dispatch agent model, though it provides less flexibility to operators.

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

So what data needs to be exchanged between DSO and ISO/RTO?

Lots! Registration, telemetry, market bids, constraints.

Typically this is where we hear pushback that it's "too much data". That's...not true. Other industries securely exchange 10x more data on these time scales.

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

That's not to say that we need a "Total TSO" model or that DSOs need to be structured the same. But an ISO/RTO needs the same data (telemetry, constraints) coming in a consistent fashion.

Consistency can come from clear participation rules and/or use of a common, decentralized technology platform.

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

A major point we make: The way the DSO interacts with the ISO must be consistent across the ISO.

For this to occur, MISO must be *opinionated* on the mechanism by which DSOs provide telemetry and interact with market dispatch of DERs (e.g. override mechanisms to protect the distribution grid).

1 1 1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

We focused on 2 parties with whom the DSO will exchange data:
- The ISO / RTO (bucketing both the market and transmission operators here; in reality they can be two separate parties)
- The Aggregators (called "DERAs" in MISO)

Lots gets communicated, but a key = constraints for safe Dx operations

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

The slides have more detail on DSO responsibilities, so I won't get into it much here.

TLDR: DSO has lots of different models, but they all include a shift to more real-time, data-driven operations at the distribution level.

Check this blog for more detail: www.camus.energy/blog/what-is...

What is a Distribution System Operator? | Camus Energy

“Distribution System Operator” (DSO) refers to an emerging model for how electricity is delivered to (and increasingly provided by) local residents and businesses.

www.camus.energy

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

We focused on:
1) What is a Distribution System Operator (DSO)?*
2) How do we expect DSOs to interact with the Tx system and MISO market?
3) What do DSOs require in a FERC 2222 world related to DER registration & comms?

*Talking about the future operating model, not the existing operations job

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 19

Yesterday, @astridatkinson.bsky.social and I were invited to share Camus' POV on Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and ISO/RTO coordination with the MISO DER Task Force.

Lots of great questions, leading to a fun convo.

Highlights in 🧵; slides here: cdn.misoenergy.org/20241118%20D...

cdn.misoenergy.org

1 2 10

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 14

"This is an opportunity for us to essentially offer capacity as it is available in a granular sense, based on the actual conditions and the actual amount of grid availability."

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 14

Yessss! Let's go PG&E. Headline mentions data centers, but early progress is on high-powered EV charging and FTM batteries.

Flexible interconnection / service connection is the way. 🥰

#EnergySky

www.latitudemedia.com/news/pg-e-is...

PG&E is laying the groundwork for flexible data center interconnection | Latitude Media

Exclusive: The utility has been piloting a way of getting new load online faster — but it’s proving tricky.

www.latitudemedia.com

1 4 10

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 14

Thanks Tyler! Mind adding me to this one?

1

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 8

There is *so much* need to help utilities speed up interconnection for EV fleets. I’m impressed by the speed of deployment for these chargers, but running on nat gas is disappointing.

Let’s use flexible interconnection to get at least some clean energy into these EVs! electrek.co/2024/05/23/t...

The US's largest heavy-duty electric truck microgrid is powered by... natural gas

Southern California’s largest heavy-duty electric truck charging depot, powered by the US's largest electric truck microgrid, is now online and fueled by natural gas.

electrek.co

1 1 6

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 16

Chicago clean energy happy hour tomorrow! (Thursday 4/25)

Open to all.

Details 👇
https://lu.ma/c85kz7ur

Clean Energy Happy Hour (Hosted by CELI) · Luma

For fans of clean energy, decarbonization, and climatetec...

lu.ma

Steven Brisley @stevenbrisley.bsky.social · Nov 16

In Chicago? Interested in climate change and electrifying transportation (especially fleets)? 🚌🚗🔌

Join @Energy_Leaders for a free event at @mHUBChicago. Wed 4/3 at 5:30pm

RSVP 👇
https://lu.ma/hvm6kva7

Electrifying Transportation: Fireside Chat w/ Yann Kulp ·...

The Chicago chapter of the Clean Energy Leadership Instit...

lu.ma