VAR Pilot Project
Address: The region covered by the pilot projects includes most the area along and surrounding the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC).
Overview:
The VAR pilot project works to intelligently monitor and control system losses at a distribution level through the use of capacitor banks in the field. By using 2-way communications and intelligent centralized software provided by RCCS (Radio Control Central Stations, Inc.), system losses are minimized on the distribution system. The project installation reflects 220 capacitor RTU’s (Remote Terminal Units) in the EIC and surrounding area. Because of the success of this pilot project in the EIC, Xcel Energy plans to utilize this technology throughout its Upper Midwest system.
Benefits:
The benefits listed below are based on 90 feeders in and around the EIC. They are estimates based upon results seen through the pilot to date.
- Operating Savings: $123,027 at $0.04 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
- Energy Savings: 3,075,679 kWh annually
- Carbon Savings: 1,855 tons of CO2 annually
