Open Access Technology International, Inc. (OATI) delivers easy to implement CVR system to manage utility loads and make administration simple.

Minneapolis, MN: May 2, 2013 – OATI has successfully deployed its Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) application at a major utility in the southeast United States. CVR is one of the most cost-effective ways utilities can manage electrical loads. This capability is available under OATI’s flagship solution, OATI webDistribute for demand-side management.

OATI webDistribute CVR leverages data from Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and analyzes grid topology. It also remotely controls Load Tap Chargers (LTCs) of substation transformers and step voltage regulators, and switches shunt capacitor banks to manage voltages and power factor along the distribution feeders. CVR can be used to both increase and decrease load, which has become an attractive capability, especially for utilities with the need to mitigate the impacts of variable renewable generation. CVR is also an effective mechanism for reducing demand during peak periods. OATI webDistribute manages a utility’s electrical load by adjusting feeder voltages, while still keeping them in the range of ANSI voltage standards.

Driven by a real-time modeling and decision-making software system, webDistribute enables utilities to utilize system flexibility to gain economic and reliability benefits by decreasing load consumption through voltage and reactive power optimal management. As slight voltage reductions occur, appliances, light bulbs, certain types of motors, and heating elements immediately draw less power, but still perform within acceptable levels. Although the reduction to consumers is slight and virtually unnoticeable, the cumulative impact of thousands of electrical devices simultaneously using less power has a significant impact on a utility’s load.

“OATI webDistribute provides a way to automatically monitor and adjust voltage on-the-fly, maximize the effectiveness of voltage regulation efforts, and maintain end-of-line voltages within ANSI standard limits,” said Dr. Ilya Roytelman, OATI Expert in Distribution Systems Applications. “OATI webDistribute, is a deployed solution with real-world results.”

Dr. Roytelman has more than 35 years of experience in Distribution Power Systems analysis and control.

OATI provides innovative software solutions that simplify, streamline, and empower the operational tasks required in today’s energy commerce and Smart Grid. With 1,200 customers across North America, OATI successfully deploys large, complicated and diverse mission-critical applications committed to industry standards and stringent NERC CIP guidelines. OATI is the leading provider of Smart Grid, Energy Trading and Risk Management, Transmission Scheduling, Congestion Management, and Market Management products and services, with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota and an office in Redwood City, California. For more information, please contact sales@oati.net.