1. Planning Tools Overview
Modeling Subcommittee
Chifong Thomas
November 30, 2017
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

2. Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Topics
Purposes of this Discussion
Planning Objectives
Planning Processes
Modeling Challenges
Load
Resources
Network
Next Steps
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

3. Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Purposes
Develop a forum to further understanding and future coordination of issues relating to the Planning tools
Identify similarities and differences
Discuss potential issues and resolutions
Set up on-going discussions
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

4. Basic Planning Questions
Do we have enough resources to economically serve the forecasted load over all time periods?
Can we deliver the forecasted resources to the individual loads under reasonably adverse conditions?
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5. Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Planning Questions
Types, locations, and sizes of future resources?
Types, locations and sizes of future loads?
Credible future network?
New technologies?
Criteria for acceptable performance?
Others?
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

6. Resource Planning & Transmission Planning Processes
Load Forecast
Policy
Multi-step iterative process to ensure that Loads can be reliably and economically served
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

7. Processes for Resource Planning and Transmission Planning
Resources by technology and location
Aggregated Load + estimated losses
Resources by Technology
Loads by Substation bus
Generator Production costs
Aggregated Imports/Exports
Network Topology
Import, Export
Typical Production Simulation Models
Typical Power flow/ Stability Models
Bridge Needed
Power Flows on Facilities
Reliability Indices
Marginal Costs
losses
Expected Portfolio Production Costs
Bus voltages
Over a Period of Time/ Very Limited Network
Single Point in Time/ Detailed Network Analyses

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Bridge
Add network to the PCM Simulation
For the selected operating point, add resource dispatch pattern to the power flow simulation
Others?
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9. Primary Planning Tools
Production Simulation (Production Cost Modeling)
Power Flow (Steady State) Simulation
Stability (Dynamic) Simulation
Programs are Complementary
Consistent ≠ Identical
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

10. Discussion: Examples of Modeling Questions
Loads:
Are the system conditions for a point on the 1 in 2 load forecast curve the same as the corresponding point on the 1 in 5 load forecast curve?
Should Behind the meter resource be modeled as a generator or a negative Load?
Should Energy Efficiency be modeled as peak shaving, same % load reduction for all hours, etc.?
Should Demand Response be modeled based on existing programs? How are future programs incorporated?
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

11. Discussion: Examples of Modeling Questions
How much of the composite load model needed to be reflected in the PCM?
Is there a connection between the load compositions (Constant power, constant current and constant impedance) in the Power flow/Stability and load profiles in the PCM?
Load power factors at different load levels – impacts power flow/stability; but probably no impact on PCM
Others?
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

12. Examples of Modeling Questions
Resources:
Fictitious resources?
Locations?
Retirements?
Dispatchable? Must-take? Fixed generation profile?
Hydros
Renewables
LCR/RMR?
What does optimization mean if we have too many must-take resources?
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

13. Discussion: Examples of Modeling Questions
Unit commitment – number of units on line at a plant can impact power flow/stability but may not impact PCM results
Voltage ride through capabilities
Frequency Ride through capabilities
Generator models – governor response, droop setting, Power System Stabilizer, Reactive capabilities
Others?
Western Electricity Coordinating Council

14. Discussion: Examples of Modeling Questions
Transmission Network:
How would we model path limitations?
Fictitious elements? Which new transmission facilities to include:
Approved facilities only?
Also planned (but not approved) facilities?
Other transmission facilities associated with potential generation addition?
RAS/SPS?
Others?
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15. Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Next Steps
Identify and prioritize Issues
Are there existing models that should be tested?
On-going discussion
Western Electricity Coordinating Council