Spokane Connected Communities Project

Location:
Spokane, WA
This project will demonstrate non-wires alternatives that support deferring or avoiding major capital investments in a 55MW-peak distribution substation by creating targeted (locationally specific) virtual power plants (VPP) from existing buildings, while optimizing power quality and supporting adjacent feeder needs. A total of 75 to 125 participants will be recruited from existing residential and commercial buildings, and building flexibility will be augmented by DERs to demonstrate 1–2.25 MW of flexible load. EE measures are realized by improving small and large commercial building operations and retrofitting for single and multi-family homes. The project includes the Spokane EcoDistrict with an existing battery, thermal storage, onsite PV, and an all-electric central plant.
Illustrative Schematic of Project
Illustrative Schematic of Project
Team Lead
Edo Energy

Project Title: Spokane Connected Communities Project

Partners: Avista Utilities, McKinstry, PNNL, and Urbanova

Planned Location of Buildings: Spokane, WA

Building types: Up to 125 total buildings consisting of 50-75 existing single family and multi-family residential homes and 25-50 commercial buildings

New or retrofit buildings: Retrofit buildings

EE target: Targeting a 7.5-15% improvement representing a 440-900 MWh reduction in annual energy savings

Total load: N/A

DERs planned: rooftop PV (300kW), battery storage systems, EV charging infrastructure (30-40 units)

Flexible Loads: Target 1.0–2.3 MW of flexible load through rooftop PV, HVAC systems, connected lighting and electric and heat pump water heaters in commercial buildings, and air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and smart thermostats in residential homes

Grid issues addressed: This project will help defer or avoid major capital investments in a 55MW-peak distribution substation

Grid services planned: Focus on GS to support distribution level to optimize capacity, improve resilience, and improve efficiency at Avista’s 3rd and Hatch substation in Spokane. The project will demonstrate non-wires alternatives (NWA) that support deferring or avoiding major capital investments in distribution grid infrastructure by creating targeted (location specific) virtual power plants (VPP) from existing buildings associated with feeder segments that can be scheduled, forecasted and dispatched by the utility. Grid services (GS) that alleviate capacity constraints, maximize capacity utilization, provide load shaping, increase distribution efficiency, improve resiliency, increase renewable energy generation, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enhance relief and outage recovery. Additionally, volt-ampere reactive (VAR) and voltage management will be enhanced to reduce losses and consumption, and increase operational efficiency.

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