Use Case
Saving Energy with Incremental Voltage Reduction
Utilities are implementing volt VAR optimization (VVO) and conservation voltage reduction (CVR) to reduce and distribute energy more efficiently on the medium voltage segments of distribution systems. Sentient Energy provides a solution to yield additional energy savings and provide visibility of low voltage segments of the distribution network.
Sentient Energy Grid Edge ControlTM
The Edge of Network Grid Optimization (ENGO-V10) device and Grid Edge Management System (GEMS) work together to create the Grid Edge Control solution. ENGO-V10 is a dynamic VAR controller (DVC) which autonomously injects up to 10 kVAR in 1 kVAR increments. GEMS software provides visibility of voltages at the edge of the grid. It also provides data analytics to adjust the set-points to maximize energy savings.

How It Works
ENGO-V10 injects kVARs to keep voltage above configurable setpoints. With voltage optimization utilities can reduce voltage at substations while maintaining power quality at the grid edge. Grid Edge Control offers:
- Voltage Optimization – The ENGO-V10 dynamic VAR controllers inject kVARs on secondary nodes as needed to boost the voltage. This fixes low voltage outliers and compresses the voltage profile in the network.
- Margin Creation – By flattening the voltage profile, Sentient Energy’s Grid Edge Control technology creates additional voltage margin and helps maintain system voltages within ANSI limits.
- Energy Savings – Due to the available voltage margin, voltage can be lowered further at the substations using LTCs (Load Tap Changers) and along the feeders with LVRs (Line Voltage Regulators) yielding additional energy savings.
Results
Sentient Energy’s Grid Edge Control solution has helped utilities to meet their Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) energy reduction targets. Utilities also benefit from greater voltage visibility at the edge of the network and improved power quality.