BC Hydro´s experience on Voltage VAR Optimization in distribution system

BC Hydro is one of the leaders in the North America in the implementation of Voltage VAR Optimization (VVO) in distribution systems. Several VVO projects have been commissioned during the past 12 years resulting in improved voltage regulation, losses reduction and energy savings. BC Hydro´s field experience with perspective for this advanced VVO Smart Grid application along its perspective on the integration of VVO with emerging technologies such as Distribution Management System (DMS) and Smart Metering & Infrastructure (SMI) is presented in this paper. VVO provides significant potential to optimize voltage and VAR resources as well as to meet energy efficiency and conservation targets of the power delivery systems.