Next-Generation Distribution Center In A Box Project – A New Approach To A Better Substation

Population growth and electrification trends are major drivers for increasing loads on the US electric distribution systems. Utilities continue to develop new strategies and devise innovative ways to design, engineer and construct substations and transformer equipment. Combined with the increasing needs to lower capital expenditure due to regulatory and ratepayer pressure, utilities often look for ways to innovate. As part of this initiative, the distribution center in a box (DCIAB) project was developed as a new application for voltage regulated distribution transformers. Commonwealth Edison Company, also known as ComEd, is the largest electric utility in the state of Illinois, serving 4 million customers throughout northern Illinois and 70% of the state’s population. ComEd provides electric services within an 11,400-square-mile territory and manages over 90,000 miles of power lines. In 2012, as part of the Illinois Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act, ComEd stepped up significant electric grid improvements throughout its service area through a 10-year grid modernization plan. The utility recognizes the needs for a strong and modern electric grid as the basis for its modernization plan. As a result, grid infrastructure upgrades are part of the core initiatives at ComEd. The Substation-in-a-Box project started in 2005 as part of the initiative within ComEd’s Innovation Team. Driven by efforts to be more cost effective, the team came together with equipment manufacturers to design the existing equipment, a substation design project called Substation-in-a-Box. This equipment is a line voltage regulator in the form of a 34.4 kV substation with 3 single-phase voltage regulators and a switch. In 2019, a ComEd team went back to the drawing board and came up with a re-design of the existing First-Gen DCIAB. By incorporating a new type of load tap changer technology, the Next Generation DCIAB features a novel design with several new characteristics when compared to the first gen version. Today, grid operators face new challenges in the distribution grids. These challenges stem from the increased loads due to electrification movement, distributed energy resources, and regulatory pressure to reduce capital expenditures as a benefit to ratepayers. The DCIAB project from Commonwealth Edison is a clear example of its viability in the grid operators’ toolkit. For ComEd, it is now the new standard for DCIAB designs. For other US utilities, new applications continue to be assessed where this new type of equipment may serve as a beneficial solution for the distribution grids.