Voltage VAR optimization real time closed loop deployment - BC Hydro challenges and opportunities

The objective of this paper is to present and share experiences and challenges in Voltage VAR optimization (VVO) real time closed loop deployment at BC Hydro control center. VVO deployment at BC Hydro is focused to maximize energy savings and therefore the closed loop execution is required on continuous 24/7 basis. Several characteristic requirements for closed loop operation were integral for successful VVO deployment. This paper presents foundation elements for VVO closed loop real time execution and some deployment challenges from the system first year of operation.