Using smart meters to build feeder section load profiles to evaluate distributed energy resource connections

This paper describes how Hydro One Networks Inc used smart meters to build load profiles for sections of a feeder. In the past, Hydro One knew the annual peak loads of each whole distribution class feeder, but did not know the minimum load, or the profile of hourly load values. Hydro One also did not regularly measure the actual load at sections of whole feeders. The appearance of Distributed Energy Resources created a need for Hydro One to know minimum loads, since minimum load is the most constraining condition during times of maximum generation. The use of Smart Meters to enable Time-of-Use rates created the ability to calculate the load for smaller sections of feeders by aggregating the existing meter data for those sections, and to know the hourly profile of the feeder sections. The analysis of the load profiles showed that minimum loads on feeders were lower than expected, the difference between peak load and minimum load was greater than expected, and the variation in minimum to peak load ratios between sections was greater than expected. The end result was less capacity for Distributed Energy Resources than originally expected, but a way to ensure a better match between load and generation.