Mining Smart Meter Data to Enhance Distribution Grid Observability for Behind-the-Meter Load Control Significantly improving system situational awareness and providing valuable insights

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are playing an increasingly important role in power systems. In 2023, five categories of DERs-distributed solar, electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage, residential smart thermostats, and small-scale combined heat and power-are expected to contribute about 104 GW to the U.S. summer peak (see GTM, 2018). With the increasing integration of DERs in power distribution systems, distributed load control is imperative to smooth the fluctuations that they introduce. However, a main challenge is that distribution systems lack systematic situational awareness because of their limited sensors. Furthermore, most customer-level behind-the-meter (BTM) DERs, such as rooftop photovoltaics (PVs), are being integrated into distribution systems, which complicates the system monitoring and control. Enhanced electric grid monitoring is needed to promote renewable integration while ensuring reliability, but current approaches rely on expensive sensors.

Automated summary

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are expected to contribute a significant amount of power to the U.S. summer peak in 2023, with challenges arising from limited sensors in the distribution systems. Enhanced electric grid monitoring is necessary for promoting renewable integration and ensuring reliability, but current approaches rely on expensive sensors.