Larry Bekkedahl, VP, Grid Architecture at Portland General Electric, gave an update on on the utility’s transportation electrification plans, as well as its recent demand response event, during Grid Forward’s fifth Virtual Utility Roundtable. The conversation was wide ranging with utility leaders from across the region, the central coast, down to Los Angeles and across the Pacific to Hawaii.
Larry highlighted PGE’s drive towards more flexible feeders to ensure reliable, resilient, safe and affordable power across their grid. He mentioned that the utility’s recent DR event yielded almost 25MW of curtailable load from residential thermostats alone, far exceeding their initial target of 16MW.
As part of its larger transportation electrification plan, PGE is envisioning residential and commercial charging services to be an important part of that flexible load with smart chargers and net metering. Below are two slides from his talk. All Roundtable members receive the full presentation, and Grid Forward members may request it be contacting Gerard. Not yet a member? Talk to Sam.
The Grid Forward Roundtable Series uses an invitation-only, small-group format to encourage information sharing and frank discussion. We are pleased to have a strong interest in these virtual sessions. Our next Roundtable is planned for August 27th as we continue to assess the pandemic impacts on areas of operation including demand, dispatch order, DERs, reliability, wholesale processes and capital spending.
If you have an interest in reserving a seat for the next Virtual Roundtable, please contact Gerard.
