Grid Edge Control™
Why Grid Edge Control is Important
Controlling voltage on the low side of the distribution transformer provides utilities with significant opportunities to reduce energy costs through Volt-VAR optimization (VVO – a process of optimally managing voltage levels and reactive power to achieve more efficient grid operation by reducing system losses, peak demand and energy consumption), conservation voltage reduction (CVR), and peak demand reduction.
Voltage control at the grid edge also reduces voltage volatility, allowing for energy savings, a higher level of PV solar integration on distribution systems.
How Grid Edge Works
The Sentient Energy Grid Edge Control solution includes advanced hardware and software designed to monitor and control grid edge voltage.
Our Edge of Network Grid Optimization device, ENGO®, is a Dynamic VAR Controller (DVC – Dynamic VAR Controllers sense low voltage points and boost voltage levels by injecting kVARs using capacitors) and the Grid Edge Management System, GEMS, is software for monitoring, configuration and peak demand management. The ENGO-V10® is connected on the secondary-side of the transformer and monitors voltage, actively injecting up to 10 kVAR to regulate voltage.
Key Features
Sentient Energy’s Grid Edge Control solution provides new capabilities for voltage control on the last segment of the distribution system:
- Dynamic Volt VAR control (0-10 kVAR) per ENGO device
- Capable of injecting 1 kVAR increments on a sub-cycle basis
- Voltage monitoring and reporting
- Over-the-air setpoint and firmware upgrades
- Easy install for overhead and underground locations
Grid Edge Control Benefits
Delivering typical energy savings of 3-5% through VVO, CVR and peak demand reduction, Sentient Energy Grid Edge Control provides a greater return on investment than many other energy efficiency options. And with no need to power down customers during installation, deployment of ENGO-V10 is easy and quick, and can be done with a minimal crew. Grid Edge Control with the ENGO-V10 and GEMS helps utilities more reliably integrate PV solar and EV charging into the grid edge, helping smooth the voltage fluctuations they cause.
What is Grid Edge?
Grid edge refers to any of the new technologies that are associated with the advancement of the power grid. How power is generated, distributed, and consumed is rapidly changing, so new products and systems are required to handle this rapid change.
At Sentient Energy, we offer grid edge control solutions that allow utility companies to better manage and measure their power systems, to deliver energy savings during peak demand periods, and more.
