Distribution Area Quick Reference Guide January 2020 - EPRI

Distribution Area Quick Reference Guide January 2020

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): Conducts research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects for the benefit of the public in the United States and internationally. As an independent, nonprofit organization for public interest energy and environmental research, we focus on electricity generation, delivery, and use in collaboration with the electricity sector, its stakeholders and others to enhance the quality of life by making electric power safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible.

In November 1965, the Great Northeastern Blackout left 30 million people in the United States without electricity, starkly demonstrating the nation’s growing dependence on electricity and vulnerability to its loss. It marked a watershed for the U.S. electricity sector and triggered the creation of EPRI. Since 1972, EPRI has collaborated with the electricity sector and its stakeholders such that our membership has grown to represent approximately 90% of the electric utility revenue generated in the United States and extends to participation in more than 35 countries.

EPRI’s Distribution Area programs conduct research, development, and demonstrations that provide the technical basis and tools to support the planning, design, construction, maintenance, operation, and analysis of the distribution system. Program structure and content provides the template for how EPRI coordinates and executes on research efforts. Each area program provides a unique perspective. Together, they address the challenges that distribution system owners face today and help prepare them with the tools and capabilities needed for transformation to a modern grid. This research further supports EPRI’s mission to provide a Safe, Reliable, Affordable and Environmentally Responsible source of electric power for society.

RESEARCH AREA OPERATIONAL CALENDAR

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Winter Advisory & Sector Council Meeting• Current R&D Plans• Next Yr ARP Ideas

Task Force and Interest Group Meetings• Share practical experience• Identify research gaps

Advisor/Task Force Webcasts• ARP Project Kickoff• Review project plan

Advisor/Task Force Webcasts• Review ARP project status

Advisor/Task Force Webcasts• Project Closeout• Application of results

Task Force and Interest Group Meetings• Share practical experience• Identify research gaps

Fall Advisory & Sector Council Meeting• Current R&D Progress/Results• Future R&D Ideas

European Workshop• Review European R&D

Applications & Issues

Publish Distribution Area Annual Review

Publish Annual Research Portfolio

Annual Research Portfolio Rollout

Webcast

Project Status Update

Project Status Update

Meetings Webcasts

Topical Webcasts • Technical topics • Emerging issues • Scheduled throughout the year

Annual Research Portfolio

ProgramsWhat Distribution Area Programs include: Distribution Systems (P180), Integration of

Distributed Energy Resources (P174), and Distribution Operations and Planning (P200).

Who Area Program Managers and technical staff execute research and manage the projects. Supporting members advise and collaborate on research, serve as host sites, and provide input on real world research needs.

How Programs consist of individual projects in which utilities participate through annual funding and collaboration. Funders are provided no-cost access to project deliverables which are released for a particular year (or years) of funding.

When Programs are ongoing research efforts. EPRI, in collaboration with program funders, determines the most important research needs to be handled in current-year projects. A project may take one or more year to complete.

Annual Research Portfolio (ARP) Also referred to as Base Funded or Membership. What Distribution ARP programs are groups of projects that address related research

topics and are offered to members on an annual basis. Projects generally are multi-year efforts, are of interest to a large number of utilities, and address significant industry issues (e.g., asset inspection and maintenance, asset analytics, safety, DER impact and value, planning, and protection).

Who EPRI subject matter experts (SMEs) and leadership collaborate with members to chart the direction of the ARP and identify projects based on system experiences, present trends, existing roadmaps, and other ancillary information. EPRI SMEs, augmented by world-class contractors, conduct the research. Participating members serve as technical advisors to the projects.

How The following year ARP is published in June. Companies may join entire programs, individual projects or project sets (groups of related projects). During the year, research is performed and deliverables are created for members which have funded the research. Typically, EPRI owns the research results and provides an internal use license for the deliverables to funders. The cost to join Distribution ARP projects is based on the utility’s prior year distribution annual GWh delivered. Annual ARP selections are made using the Research Portfolio Agreement (RPA).

When Members can join an ARP offering at any time during the year up until December 31. Deliverables, and other forms of technology transfer, are provided throughout the year, but most are delivered near the end of the year.

Self-Directed Funding (SDF), Tailored Collaboration Funding (TC), and Co-funding

What Twenty-five percent of a member’s ARP funding is allocated to either an SDF or TC account or pool that can be used by the funder to join supplemental projects. Projects must meet criteria defined in the Supplemental Funding Policy document found on the EPRI Member Center website.

Self-Directed Funding (SDF): Pooled SDF funds can be used entirely to participate in a supplemental project or joined with co-funding (see below).

Tailored Collaboration Funding (TC): Pooled TC funding must be matched by the funder with an equal amount of co-funding to participate in a supplemental project. TC plus the matching co-funding may also be combined with additional co-funding (see below).

Co-funding: Funding provided directly from a utility through an invoicing process. Members may join supplemental projects using entirely co-funding, or using a combination of co-funding and SDF (or TC) funding.

Who The SDF or TC account is usually managed by the member’s Manager of EPRI Technology Transfer (METT). Participating companies decide whether to have TC (see below) or SDF funding when they submit their ARP selections each year.

How Funding is transferred from the SDF or TC pools to a supplemental project using a revenue agreement, including a statement of work. Where co-funding is involved, the revenue agreement includes invoicing terms. Participation using TC, SDF, or co-funding can be initiated via an online tool or through discussion with EPRI staff.

When Funding in the TC or SDF pool must be committed to a project under written contract by the end of the year in which it is generated or the funds lapse.

Technology Innovation (TI) ProgramWhat TI program and projects generally have longer-term goals and have higher

research risks. Learnings from TI projects can inform and inspire future ARP projects and provide thought leadership for EPRI members, society, and other stakeholders.

Who The TI program is managed by a separate team, including the process for prioritization of projects and allocation of funding. EPRI technical staff execute the projects. The TI program is advised by EPRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC), comprised of senior management of EPRI members.

How Twelve percent of ARP funding is allocated to the TI program. An internal process is used to allocate funding. All TI deliverables in a given year are available to all EPRI members investing in an EPRI research program in that year.

When Funding is allocated on an annual basis.

Supplemental Projects Includes Tailored Collaboration (TC), Self-directed Funding (SDF), and Co-Funding Projects What Supplemental projects address specific issues that may be of interest to a group

of members or a single member. Projects may involve research, demonstration or implementation of advanced tools, technologies, or technology transfer. If a supplemental project has multiple funders, the scope is identical for all participants. Typically, EPRI owns the research results and provides funders an internal use license for the project deliverables. Research results may be further developed by EPRI in other projects.

Who Area Program Managers and technical staff conduct the research. Participating members designate a technical advisor to lead their collaboration in the project, including serving as a host site and/or providing examples, experience, and data.

How The EPRI technical staff and project funders agree upon a statement of work (SOW) defining the scope, schedule, and deliverables. Companies join the project through revenue agreement, which usually adopts pre-determined terms and conditions in a master agreement between EPRI and the funder. ARP Funders can join using SDF, TC funding, or co-funding (see below). Project funders receive the project deliverable(s) at no additional charge. Others who did not fund the project, but desire access to the deliverables, must purchase or license the priced deliverable(s).

When Supplemental projects can be initiated at any time during the year and can be initiated quickly. Deliverables are generally delivered on the schedule identified in the SOW. Supplemental projects may be multi-year.

Programs and Projects

Supplemental Funding Types Billable Service Agreement (BSA)What A BSA is available for EPRI to do services work. A BSA is used for specific

results that can solve an issue or specific problem without limiting EPRI from performing the same approach, idea, or concept for other funders. Typically, if the deliverable is a report, that report is “owned” by the funder, but EPRI owns the background technology and any improvements to the background technology which occur during the contract period. Billable Services are generally not eligible for TC or SDF. There can be limits on the types of services work which EPRI can undertake. For example, EPRI does not provide expert witness services in court cases. These limitations are guided by EPRI’s tax exempt status and independence requirements. The total amount of BSA-related work that EPRI performs, in aggregate, is limited by EPRI’s non-profit tax status because it does not meet the public benefit research criteria.

Who Area Program Managers and technical staff work with the requesting organization to agree upon a statement of work defining the scope, schedule, and deliverables.

How Funding is transferred to a BSA project using a revenue agreement which includes invoicing terms and a SOW. Terms and conditions are often incorporated from a master agreement in place between EPRI and the funder. A BSA is initiated by discussions with EPRI staff.

When A BSA can be executed at any time during the year.

Master AgreementWhat Almost all members have a master agreement in place setting out the terms and

conditions for most projects involving EPRI and the member. Pre-negotiating terms such as confidentiality requirements, export control, and licensing requirements, means that supplemental projects can be easy to initiate once the SOW and member funding sources (e.g. SDF or co-funding) are determined. There are limited occasions where a vendor involvement, government funding, or special project needs, leads to additional terms (e.g. special host utility access requirements for those working on, or visiting its site).

Who The master agreement is usually negotiated, agreed upon, and signed by the legal departments and management of the member and EPRI.

How The master agreement is referenced in the RPA, in supplemental agreements (SDF, TC, co-funding), and in BSAs.

When The master agreement is typically in place for a longer duration; recent agreements have had a duration of 10 years.

Deliverables What EPRI research deliverables may include technical reports, technical updates,

software, workshops, hardware demonstrations, field guides, and reference manuals, each released with product identification (PID) numbers. BSA deliverables are an exception and do not have PIDs.

Who Companies that join specific ARP or supplemental projects receive an internal use license and access to the deliverables from that project at no additional charge under the terms of their agreement. For ARP, the funding for the program/project must be provided in the year of release for the funder to receive access at no additional charge. Typically, companies that did not fund the specific project can license or purchase a specific deliverable provided they meet all licensing and export control requirements (license & export checks for funders occur at the contract stage). BSA deliverables are usually not available for purchase by others.

How EPRI deliverables from ARP and supplemental projects are stored and available for download from EPRI’s Member Center (membercenter.epri.com). Typically, only eligible users can download specific EPRI deliverables for no additional fee, based upon which programs and projects they have joined. Some project deliverables (webcasts, conference call updates) are not available to non-funders.

When Most ARP deliverables are provided at the end of the year. Supplemental deliverables are provided as defined in the project’s SOW.

Distribution Sector Council (DSC)What The DSC provides executive level advice to the Distribution area. The DSC is

regularly briefed on ongoing RD&D progress and provide strategic guidance on technical issues, research areas, and EPRI business operational areas for improvement. The DSC is a subset of the Power Delivery & Utilization (PDU) Sector Council, which also includes the Transmission, Energy Utilization, and Information Communication & Cyber Security (ICCS) areas.

Who DSC positions are generally filled by executives from EPRI’s members. How During PDU and DSC meetings, EPRI staff and members make presentations

and roundtable discussions follow. When Sector Council meets twice each year (winter and fall) on the Wednesday

and Thursday following the Distribution area advisory meetings.

Distribution Executive Committees (DEC)What The DEC advises the EPRI Distribution Sector leadership and collaborates with

EPRI to develop the DSC agendas.Who The DEC is comprised of a subset of executives from the DSC and is led by

the DSC Chair and EPRI DSC Leader. How The DEC communicates through webcasts, face-to-face meetings, and surveys.When Webcasts are held on an as-needed basis. Breakfast meetings are usually held

on the Thursday morning of the Sector Council Meeting.

Delivery of Results

Advisory

Advisory Structure

Existing Product CreditsWhat In exchange for a minimum, multi-year commitment at a mutually agreed level

and type, EPRI provides credits for members to use towards the purchase or license of existing EPRI deliverables for which a member would otherwise not be eligible (for example, where a member did not fund the work producing the deliverable).

Who The Product Credit Pool is usually managed by the METT at each utility. How Participant SMEs engage their company’s METT to request that Product Credits

are used to gain access to a specific EPRI deliverable. When Product Credits may be used at any time during the multi-year agreement.

The product Credit Pool expires at the end of the multi-year agreement.

Distribution Advisory GroupsWhat The Distribution advisory groups provide guidance to the research areas and

are: 1) made aware of R&D progress; 2) share member practices including use of EPRI research results; 3) share utility experiences that can help inform EPRI’s research programs; 4) advise R&D roadmaps; and 5) identify EPRI business operational areas for improvement.

Who Members are often directors/managers from member utilities, led by the EPRI Distribution Area Program Managers and technical staff and the program chair.

How Each Distribution program has its own advisory meeting, and sometimes meets jointly with other programs to enhance collaboration. Presentations are made by EPRI staff and member utilities with roundtable discussions following.

When Distribution advisory groups meet with other PDU Advisory Groups twice each year (winter and fall) on Monday through Wednesday (midday). Distribution advisors may also participate through project task forces, which generally meet three times per year, to advise projects, or through topical technical webcasts that are held throughout the year (see Research Area Operational Calendar graphic).

Distribution Task Forces (TF)What Task Forces advise groups of ARP projects based on technical area (see

Advisory graphic). TFs are made aware of R&D progress and results in their areas of funding, collaborate on ongoing research, identify new research areas, and provide a forum for members to share research applications and utility operational experiences.

Who Task Forces are generally staffed by the SMEs assigned by member utilities to advise each ARP project. TFs are led by EPRI technical staff together with a utility TF leadership team.

How Presentations are made by EPRI staff and member utilities followed by roundtable discussions. TF presentations often focus on enabling member application of R&D results.

When The TFs generally meet three times per year, by webcast or otherwise, to update the TF on progress (see Research Area Operational Calendar graphic).

Industry IssueStrategic Guidance (Executives)

Research Area Strategic Guidance(Managers) Advisory

Project Level Tactical Guidance (Subject Matter Experts)

Task Forces Provide project guidance and serve as primary vehicle for R&D technology transfer to member.

Interest Groups Provide forum for member and industry interaction and discussion of key issues.

• Overhead Assets• Underground Assets• Distribution Automation Assets• Safety• Asset & Reliability Analytics

• Distribution Planning• Distribution Operations• Distribution Protection• Operation and Planning Analytics

• Modeling and Simulation of DER• Smart Inverters and Grid

Supportive Technologies• DERMS & Microgrid Integration• Practices, Economics & Programs

Distribution Sector Council

Distribution Systems Advisory (P180)

Distribution SystemsTask Forces

Interest Groups Interest Groups Interest Groups

Distribution Ops & Planning (P200)

Distribution Ops & PlanningTask Forces

DER Integration Advisory (P174)

DER IntegrationTask Forces

Distribution Program Advisory Groups

• North American Dense Urban Utility Working Group

• Distribution Automation Interest Group

• Distribution Planning• Distribution Operation

• DERMS• DER Inverter Settings• DER Field Experience

Technical Leads

US Technical Advisors Barry Batson bbatson@epri.com 704-905-2787

Brian Dupin bdupin@epri.com 650-906-2936

Chris Kotting ckotting@epri.com 614-468-3205

Annette Mosely amosley@epri.com 972-556-6507

Program 180 – Distribution SystemsDrew McGuire, Program Manager dmcguire@epri.com

Joe Potvin, Technical Lead – Overhead Assets jpotvin@epri.com

John Tripolitis, Technical Lead – Underground Assets jtripolitis@epri.com

Jason Anderson, Technical Lead – Distribution Automation Assets janderson@epri.com

Tom Short, Technical Lead – Safety tshort@epri.com

Bhavin Desai, Technical Lead – Asset & Reliability Analytics bdesai@epri.com

Alex Bologna abologna@epri.com

Doug Dorr ddorr@epri.com

Brian Green bgreen@epri.com

Jared Green jgreen@epri.com

Dexter Lewis dlewis@epri.com

Kimsour Thach kthach@epri.com

Program 200 – Distribution Operations and PlanningJeff Smith,  Sr. Program Manager jsmith@epri.com

Lindsey Rogers, Technical Lead – Tech Transfer lirogers@epri.com

Jason Taylor, Technical Lead – Planning jtaylor@epri.com

Brian Deaver, Technical Lead – Operations bdeaver@epri.com

Sean McGuinness, Technical Lead – Protection smcguinness@epri.com

Matt Rylander, Technical Lead – Analytics for Operation and Planning mrylander@epri.com

Mobolaji Bello mbello@epri.com

Jeremiah Deboever jdeboever@epri.com

Roger Dugan rdugan@epri.com

Nick Heine nheine@epri.com

Miguel Hernandez mhernandez@epri.com

Van Holsomback vholsomback@epri.com

Adrian Kelly akelly@epri.com

Huijuan Li hli@epri.com

Alex Melhorn amelhorn@epri.com

Davis Montenegro dmmartinez@epri.com

Alison O’Connell aoconnell@epri.com

Andres Ovalle aovalle@epri.com

Jouni Peppanen jpeppanen@epri.com

Jeffrey Roark jroark@epri.com

Paulo Radatz pradatz@epri.com

Wes Sunderman wsunderman@epri.com

International Country ManagersPresident, EPRI International Kevin East keast@epri.com

Canada Warren Frost wfrost@epri.com

Latin America & Southern Europe Maria Martin mmartin@epri.com

UK, Ireland, Germany & France Richard Acton racton@epri.com

Central Europe, Belgium & Scandinavia Vaclav Vyskocil vvyskocil@epri.com

Southern Europe Jose Delgado jdelgado@epri.com

South Korea Jae Cho jcho@epri.com

Japan Michio Matsuda mmatsuda@epri.com

Africa, Middle East, SE Asia & Australia Barry MacColl bmaccoll@epri.com

China & Taiwan James Zhu jzhu@epri.com

Program 174 – DER IntegrationBrian Seal, Sr Program Manager bseal@epri.com

Devin Van Zandt, Technical Lead – Modeling and Simulation of DER DVanZandt@epri.com

Aminul Huque, Technical Lead – Smart Inverters and Grid Supportive Technologies mhuque@epri.com

Ajit Renjit, Technical Lead – DERMS & Microgrid Integration arenjit@epri.com

Nadav Enbar, Technical Lead – Practices, Economics & Programs nenbar@epri.com

Tom Key, Technical Lead – Strategic and Technical Support tkey@epri.com

Steven Coley scoley@epri.com

Summer Fabus SFabus@epri.com

David Freestate dfreestate@epri.com

Aditie Garg agarg@epri.com

Tanguy Hubert thubert@epri.com

AHM Jakaria AJakaria@epri.com

Stephen Kerr skerr@epri.com

Alex Magerko amagerko@epri.com

Peter Richardson PRichardson@epri.com

Cameron Riley criley@epri.com

Jane Shi xshi@epri.com

Yuji Takenobu ytakenobu@epri.com

Wenzong Wang wwang@epri.com

Ben York byork@epri.com

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TXElectric Power Research Institute3420 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California, 94304-1338 PO Box 10412, Palo Alto, California, 94303-0813 USA800.313.3774 • 650.855.2121 • askepri@epri.com • www.epri.com© 2020 Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Inc. All rights reserved.

This document is intended to be a “quick reference” and does not provide a complete description of the background policies and contractual terms. If you have any questions or require more detail, please ask an EPRI staff member and we’ll provide you with the appropriate resources.