HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14730
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14730)
Utilities Advisory Commission Staff Report
Meeting Date: 12/7/2022 Report Type: VII. NEW BUSINESS
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Presentation and Update on the City's Electric Grid Modernization
Analysis
From: Director of Utilities
Lead Department: Utilities
Discussion
This is a presentation of the Utility’s Department’s Electric Distribution Infrastructure
Modernization analysis, which will identify community needs, staff needs, and infrastructure
needs.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Presentation
• Attachment B: Presentation
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Packet Pg. 56
Electric Distribution Infrastructure Modernization Update
December 7, 2022 www.cityofpaloalto.org
3.b
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Electric Infrastructure Analysis Report
•Consultant is currently analyzing the system.
•Changes will be needed in the secondary system and
transformers.
•Consultant to provide recommendation on diversified
system design loading. (Average KVA per electrified home.)
3.b
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Current Impacts of Electrification*
•More customers are needing 400A and 600A panels.
•Increasing number of transformer additions and upgrades.
•Beginning to see more customer electric quality complaints
due to overloaded facilities.
•More load and generation is being added to the system
without utility review (or sometimes even notification),
which can result in system issues impacting customers.
•Heat pump water heaters have the least grid impact of all
electrification appliances and equipment –City prioritizing
these for early S/CAP action
* “Electrification” in this presentation refers to building and vehicle electrification, solar PV, and batteries
3.b
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Current Constraints
Need for system upgrades is increasing.
Transformer replacements are accelerating.
Transformer delivery lead times are 1 to 2 years.
Training new staff to process current requests.
Backlog of infrastructure projects.
Staffing and Retention
3.b
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Steps for Modernization
•Analyze and prioritize feeders and substations requiring upgrades.
•Initiate development of Electrification ready Secondary Distribution
System.
•Establish contracts to design and build improvements for each circuit
and associated substation.
•Coordinate marketing plans for whole home electrification with areas
where the system now has adequate capacity.
3.b
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Staffing Needs for Grid Modernization
Engineering and Operations Staffing
•Insufficient staffing to manage existing programs due to on-going
vacancies.
•No staffing to manage Grid Modernization program and contracting.
•Need to attract qualified experienced candidates for positions.
•Development and execution of retention and recruitment plan.
3.b
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