Unlocking Grid Flexibility: How ASE/Kalkitech is Powering PG&E’s Future with Smart DER Aggregation

California's energy landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The rise of electric vehicles, the proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar and storage, and the urgent need for cleaner energy are placing unprecedented demands on our power grids. For PG&E and utilities across the nation, this means grappling with grid bottlenecks, strained infrastructure, and the challenge of efficiently integrating these new resources.

Traditional grid upgrades are costly and time-consuming – often delaying critical projects and hindering the very clean energy transition we strive for. Innovative approaches are needed to overcome these limitations and unlock the true potential of a flexible, distributed grid.

The PG&E Solution:

Flex-Connect & DIDF – A Smart Path Forward, Leading the Way for Industry Standards

PG&E is taking a proactive stance, pioneering frameworks like Flexible Interconnection (Flex Connect) and the Distribution Infrastructure Deferral Framework (DIDF). These initiatives are designed to intelligently manage grid constraints, allowing for faster and more cost-effective integration of new loads and DERs. Instead of solely relying on massive infrastructure overhauls, Flex-Connect and DIDF prioritize smart, real-time management of grid resources, setting a potential blueprint for utilities nationwide.

ASE/Kalkitech: The Technology Partner Enabling Grid Flexibility and Industry Standardization

This is where ASE/Kalkitech steps in. We understand the complexities of Flex Connect and DIDF, and we've adopted our cloud-based aggregator solution specifically designed to empower PG&E and its customers in this new energy landscape – a solution we believe should become a standard option for utilities across the US.

Solution: Intelligent Aggregation for a Dynamic Grid and Market Participation

The ASE/Kalkitech solution provides a comprehensive platform to manage and optimize a diverse portfolio of DERs participating in PG&E's Flex Connect and DIDF programs. Here's how it works, and why it’s a game-changer:

• Cloud-Based Aggregator: The Central Intelligence Hub. The core part of the solutions is a robust, secure, and scalable cloud platform. This aggregator acts as the central brain, communicating seamlessly with PG&E's DERMS/ADMS platform via the industry-standard IEEE 2030.5 CSIP protocol.

  This ensures interoperability and real-time data exchange with PG&E's grid management systems. Beyond basic communication, our aggregator delivers powerful operational advantages:

  • Day-Ahead Power Scheduling for Optimized Operations: Our system proactively receives day-ahead power limit/target schedules from PG&E and sends them to each site. This crucial feature empowers site operators with the foresight needed for effective operational planning, optimizing resource utilization, and grid program participation.

  • Unlock Dual Revenue Streams: Grid Contingency and Energy Markets: Our solution isn't just about grid stability; it is about maximizing asset value. Export sites utilizing our aggregator can seamlessly participate in energy market applications, accessing double benefits. Assets can contribute to utility grid contingency programs and simultaneously engage in energy markets, unlocking significant new revenue streams and enhancing the overall ROI of DER investments.

  • Flexible Third-Party Controller Integration: Recognizing the diversity of existing infrastructure, our solution offers unparalleled flexibility. For sites equipped with custom controllers and market interfaces, we provide the ability to send full control schedules to third-party controllers via Modbus protocol (derived from IEEE 1815.2 DNP3.0 DER profile). These day-ahead schedules enable customers to leverage their own sophisticated control logic for active market participation, all while seamlessly integrating with the PG&E framework.

   

• Field-Deployed Intelligence: Gateways and Controllers at the Edge. To bridge the gap between the cloud and the physical assets, the solution provides intelligent Gateways and Controllers deployed at each customer site. These devices act as the local interface, securely connecting with various DER types and translating high-level commands from the aggregator into actionable controls.

• Support for Diverse DER Assets: Our solution is designed to handle a wide spectrum of DERs sites, including:

  • EV Charging Stations: Managing charging demand to align with grid capacity and optimize charging schedules.
  • EV Charging Stations with Energy Storage: Leveraging on-site batteries for peak shaving, backup power, and enhanced grid services.
  • Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plants: Integrating dispatchable renewable generation into the grid mix.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Optimizing participation in CAISO's day-ahead, real-time, and ancillary services markets, maximizing revenue and grid support.

• Smart Control and Prioritization: Our aggregator intelligently manages scheduled controls, power limits, and active targets for each site. It prioritizes power delivery based on grid conditions and program requirements, ensuring reliable and efficient operation within the Flex Connect and DIDF frameworks.

Why Choose ASE/Kalkitech? Beyond Technology, a Partnership for Success

The ASE/Kalkitech solution delivers tangible advantages that set us apart:

• Streamlined PTO and Commissioning Support: We understand the complexities of utility interconnection. ASE actively supports customers in commissioning and obtaining Permission To Operate (PTO) by providing comprehensive assistance with utility SCADA testing for telemetry and control schedules. We are with you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and efficient path to project activation.

• Unmatched Resilience in Outage Scenarios: Grid reliability is paramount. Our solution is engineered for exceptional resilience in various outage situations:

  • Aggregator-Utility Communication Outage: For limit controls (Flex Connect), sites intelligently switch to a pre-defined default schedule ensuring continued operation even when communication with the utility is interrupted.
  • Gateway-Aggregator or Controller-Gateway Outages: Robust local control ensures minimal disruption.
  • Gateway Power Outage (for DIDF sites): Crucially, for DIDF sites focused on power generation, our solution is designed to continue scheduled power generation even during a gateway power outage, maximizing uptime and revenue potential.

• Proactive Monitoring and Management: Our cloud service provides 24/7 monitoring and management of the entire system. We proactively deliver upfront notifications if any issues arise at the site or within the communication infrastructure, enabling rapid response and minimizing downtime.

• User-Friendly Interface for Enhanced Visibility: We believe in empowering our users. Our solution features a user-friendly User Interface accessible via the cloud, providing clear and intuitive monitoring of all assets from the aggregator level. This ensures transparency and simplified management for operators.

Benefits for PG&E and its Customers: A Win-Win Scenario – And a Model for the Nation

The ASE/Kalkitech solution offers significant advantages for both PG&E and participating customers, and provides a compelling model for utilities and regulatory bodies nationwide:

• Reduced Infrastructure Upgrade Costs: By intelligently managing existing grid capacity, Flex-connect and DIDF, enabled by our aggregator, can defer or eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming traditional infrastructure upgrades. This translates to significant cost savings for PG&E and ultimately, its ratepayers, making it an attractive model for regulatory consideration.

• Faster Project Deployment: Flexible interconnection pathways mean projects can be connected to the grid much faster. EV charging stations, RNG plants, and battery storage projects can come online sooner, accelerating the clean energy transition and meeting growing demand – a crucial benefit for consultants and influencers advocating for rapid clean energy adoption.

• Enhanced Grid Reliability and Resilience: By actively managing and coordinating DERs, our solution contributes to a more stable and resilient grid. The diverse portfolio of controllable resources can respond dynamically to grid events, improving overall system reliability – a key consideration for DSOs focused on grid stability.

• Unlocking Revenue Streams for DER Owners: Participation in Flex Connect and DIDF programs, coupled with access to CAISO markets for BESS, opens up new revenue opportunities for DER owners. Our solution helps optimize their participation and maximize their financial returns – a compelling incentive for DER asset owners and operators.

• Supporting a Cleaner, More Sustainable Future: By facilitating the integration of EVs and renewable energy resources, ASE/Kalkitech is playing a critical role in enabling a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for California and beyond. This aligns with the broader goals of regulatory bodies and utility commissions focused on promoting clean energy policies.

Looking Ahead: Powering a Flexible and Resilient Grid, Setting a New Standard

The energy landscape is constantly evolving, and the need for grid flexibility will only intensify. ASE/Kalkitech is committed to providing innovative solutions that empower utilities like PG&E to navigate this complex transition and, importantly, to establish a new standard for DER integration across the nation. Our cloud-based aggregator for Flex Connect and DIDF is not just a technology solution; it's a strategic enabler for a smarter, more resilient, and sustainable energy future – a future we believe should be built on standardized, robust, and market-enabling solutions like ours.

Want to learn more about how ASE/Kalkitech can help you unlock grid flexibility, optimize your DER strategy, and contribute to industry standardization? Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and explore the power of intelligent DER aggregation.