Integration of Distributed PV in PG&E Service Territory: Challenges, Opportunities, and On-Going Research

The continued growth in installations of customer-side photovoltaic (PV) systems in Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service territory – where more than 50,000 such systems have been installed – is positive from many perspectives. However, this increasing penetration also introduces challenges to the operation of the utility distribution system. Intelligent integration of distributed PV with the grid can minimize negative grid impacts, and potentially, facilitate new approaches to optimizing distribution system operations. This presentation (1) characterizes penetration of customer-side PV throughout PG&E’s distribution system; (2) provides examples of grid disturbances caused by distributed PV and corresponding utility responses; (3) describes potential future mitigation strategies; and (4) provides an overview of PG&E research projects that explore potential mitigation strategies, including the use of smart inverters and customer-side energy storage.