Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA) and Locational Benefit Analysis (LNBA) Map

The enhanced integrated capacity and locational net benefit analysis quantifies the capability of the system to integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) within San Diego Gas & Electric’s distribution system. Results are dependent on the most limiting element of the various power system criteria such as thermal ratings, power quality, system protection limits and safety standards of existing equipment.

Integration Capacity Analysis

Substation Location

Substations are shown on the ICA map as polygons from the initial global view of SDG&E’s service territory. Placement of the cursor and clicking on the substation polygon will bring up a pop-up window to show: substation name, voltage and yearly load profile.

Feeder and Line Section Location

The distribution feeder routes are viewable to only users who apply for access to this layer. As the user zooms in closer to the street level, the distribution feeder routes are shown as distinctly ICA colored lines on the display. To display available capacity on the distribution system down to the line section or node level the user can simply click on a particular line segment. Branches extending from the mainline feeder are not shown. Placement of the cursor and clicking on the line section will bring up a pop-up window to show: circuit number, voltage, % of customers, existing generation, queued generation, a yearly load profile, line segment name, the minimum value of uniform interconnection capacity value, the minimum value of uniform interconnection load value and the PV interconnection capacity value at 12 noon.

Locational Net Benefit Analysis/Distribution Deferral Opportunity Report (LNBA/DDOR) Layer

Along with mapping the integration capacity analysis (ICA) results SDG&E has also identified and mapped areas where deploying distribution energy resources could potentially defer or mitigate the need for planned infrastructure projects. The intention of this mapping layer is to delineate where there are relatively greater opportunities to avoid costs by installing DERs in SDG&E’s distribution network. The avoided costs achieved by deferring a capital investment will be considered in addition to any system level costs a DER may be able to provide (i.e. avoided energy, avoided resource adequacy, avoided emissions etc.)

Identifying Utility Investment Deferral Opportunities

The LNBA/DDOR layer shows areas in SDG&E’s system in which deploying DERs may defer a utility investment of some kind. The layer shows this by outlining the portions of feeders where reducing load would defer/eliminate the need to make an investment. The outlines are colored based on the relative cost of the project per kW of need. As of today, the project outlines will be colored based on the following scale of project costs.

LNBA/DDOR Project Data

The user of maps can click on each identified deferrable project areas to bring up data associated with each of the projects such as the Substation, distribution circuit(s) ID, project description, associated LNBA range, etc. Furthermore, included in the project data pop up is a link to download the larger LNBA/DDOR dataset in an excel spreadsheet.