Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Services

We provide a range of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) services. DER refers to on-site power generation, storage, and delivery, often involving resources like solar, wind, and battery power.

K&A has extensive experience in DER interconnection studies. We have completed over 200 studies for utility clients in the Northeast USA and are currently working on over 400 more.
‍‍
Services:

Impact Studies: These studies assess the effects of DER integration on the power grid, focusing on areas like:

• Load Flow Analysis: Examining equipment loading, reversibility, voltage violations, and backup feeder contingency simulations
• Voltage Flicker Analysis: Determining mitigation methods for voltage fluctuations caused by DER, including equipment upgrades and Volt-Var Mode implementation.
• Voltage Regulation Mode: Evaluating inverter ratings and providing regulation curves for customers using Volt-Var Mode.
• Short Circuit Current Analysis: Calculating short circuit currents and verifying the interrupting ratings of protection devices.
• Protection Review: Reviewing protection settings, assessing intertie relay coordination, and analyzing inrush currents.
• Effective Grounding: Analyzing grounding parameters connected with and without the DER project.
• Harmonic Evaluation: Using UL harmonics test results to assess total harmonic distortion caused by DER inverters.
• Upgrade Cost Estimation: Providing cost estimates for grid upgrades needed to accommodate DER, including transmission lines, reclosers, regulators, and metering infrastructure.

Transmission Planning and System Studies

• DER Interconnection studies
• Load Interconnection studies
• Electrification Impact Studies
• Generation Deliverability Studies
• Transfer Limit Analysis
• Hosting Capacity Analysis
• Transient Analysis

Distribution Planning and System Studies

• DER Interconnection Studies
• Load Interconnection Studies
• Non-wire alternative Analysis
• Distribution System Optimization Studies
• Reliability Analysis
• Hosting Capacity Analysis
• Microgrid Analysis
• Transient Analysis

Software and Tool Development

• Automation and scripting support
• Software development

Project Management Office (PMO) Services: K&A offers tailored project management and support services for DER projects, including:

• Development of interconnection application procedures and management processes.
• Technical screening of DER interconnections.
• Standardized DER systems impact studies.
• Distribution, transmission, and substation design.
• Construction management

‍
Download a copy of our distributed energy resources (DER) service sheet