Southern California Edison’s (SCE) integrated grid pilot is designed to help the utility incorporate an understanding of distributed energy storage into its distribution planning process. In particular, SCE is exploring how the sizing, location and control functions of storage systems impact grid planning and operations.

Four key energy storage use cases have been studied beyond conventional capacity deferral:

1. Improving DER hosting capacity
2. Phase balancing
3. Limiting duct bank temperature rise
4. Improved asset utilization

Technical and economic analysis is currently underway to develop processes to consider energy storage as a non-wires alternative to conventional distribution solutions in these use cases.