As the demand for electrification surges, utilities face the daunting task of upgrading their infrastructure to meet new requirements swiftly. Southern California Edison (SCE) is tackling these challenges head-on through innovative approaches and regulatory support. In a recent podcast discussion at the ACT Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, Bryan Jungers from Esource and Ryan Garoogian from SCE delved into the intricacies of these efforts. This article explores the core issues, SCE’s innovative solutions, and the broader industry trends in utility services.
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What’s the Problem with Power?
Utilities often face criticism for the slow and cumbersome processes involved in grid studies and service upgrades. Ryan Garoogian, a senior engineer with SCE’s distribution system planning organization, acknowledges these issues: “It can be a little frustrating at times to think that you have a business plan and kind of a path forward to becoming energized, and then you come to the utility, and you see that timeline kind of extend.” Brian Jungers adds, “Criticism I have heard lobbied against utilities is that the reactive process is too slow and cumbersome or not streamlined enough.” To combat these delays, SCE is working to streamline their processes by performing tasks in parallel to reduce timelines and improve service delivery.
Garoogian is at the forefront of forecasting future load growth and planning the electrical grid to ensure safe and reliable operation. His work involves anticipating low growth and building the grid accordingly. “We really want to know what the customer wants so that we can provide the appropriate service for them,” Garoogian states, emphasizing the importance of early customer engagement.
How Utilities Can Innovate: SCE’s Case Study
New Regulations: California’s new regulations mandate shorter timelines for utilities to energize systems following customer requests, specifically between 120 and 150 business days. Garoogian explains, “We are trying to streamline a lot of our processes, mainly in the permitting and pre-construction and construction process, to try to meet those timelines.” By adopting more parallel processes, SCE aims to meet these aggressive deadlines.
There is a crucial need for regulatory support to enable the deployment of advanced grid technologies like battery storage. “The question is really in the regulatory space and how do we work with our regulators to help them better understand what those benefits are,” Garoogian highlights. SCE is advocating for rule modifications to facilitate greater utility participation in these innovative solutions.
Learn more about California’s regulatory measures: Distribution Infrastructure and Planning (ca.gov)
Pilot Programs: SCE is piloting a Load Control Management System (LCMS) to allow customers to partially interconnect their equipment while waiting for full grid upgrades. Garoogian elaborates, “If they want 10 chargers but the utility only has capacity for five chargers right now…we can allow for this customer to install control systems on their side…to manage their load to not exceed the five-charger output limit.” This pilot provides a temporary solution, enabling customers to proceed with their electrification plans without significant delays.
Temporary Solutions: SCE is also exploring temporary measures such as mobile battery energy storage devices and mobile substations to bridge the gap while permanent upgrades are made. Garoogian notes, “We really want to try to have these temporary solutions to be able to get these customers online in some fashion while we’re trying to do these upgrades.” These solutions aim to provide immediate, albeit partial, service to customers, enhancing satisfaction and reducing wait times.
Market Innovation & Industry Trends: The utility industry is witnessing a surge in innovative solutions designed to address the growing demand for electrification. One such innovation is the integration of battery energy storage with charging units. Garoogian mentions, “If it were to be done in the right way and it’s economical…that would be a great solution.” However, high costs and regulatory challenges currently hinder widespread adoption. Despite these barriers, the market shows keen interest in developing and implementing these technologies to meet the increasing demands of electrification.
Conclusion
In summary, while utilities like SCE face significant challenges in meeting the demands of electrification, they are also at the forefront of innovation. By streamlining processes, advocating for regulatory support, piloting new systems, and exploring temporary solutions, SCE is paving the way for a more efficient and responsive utility service that can meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market. As Bryan Jungers aptly puts it, “If you were able to do that, you’ll be faster than most utility response rates.” The future of utility services lies in these innovative approaches, which promise to deliver timely and reliable service to customers amid the electrification boom.
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Written by Taylor Steele
November 2024
