Silicon Valley Power, the municipally owned electric utility of Santa Clara, Calif., is subject of a study being launched using a new technology that may provide a basis for optimizing electric power grids.

(Photo courtesy of Silicon Valley Power)

The developers say the system, called AEMPFAST, from Optimal Technologies International Inc., Benicia, Calif., will be used to study data from the utility's transmission and distribution system in precise detail. The phase under way now will work with data captured from the operations control system. A report that will be issued next April will show how the grid should be optimized, says Roland Schoettle, Optimal's CEO.

Schoettle says a second phase "still in the talking stage" would combine demand-side energy management systems with live control data at a high level of detail. AEMPFAST then would be used to actively balance the system in real time.

The fine level of operational control would make it possible to efficiently incorporate contributions to the grid from distributed energy resources, such as the backup generators and fuel and solar cell systems that are cropping up at scattered industrial and commercial locations. The $616,689 study is funded by the California Energy Commission.

Larry Owens, SVP's customer service manager, says engineers are "very interested in seeing the results."