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From Pilot to Standard: Pepco’s Framework for Deploying Voltage-Regulating Distribution Transformers to Support DER and EV Growth
As distributed energy resources (DERs) and electric vehicle (EV) charging continue to expand across distribution networks, utilities are facing increasing voltage variability and hosting capacity limitations—particularly at the grid edge. To address these challenges, Pepco has deployed voltage regulating distribution transformers (VRDTs) as part of a series of pilot projects designed to provide localized voltage control and enable additional DER and EV interconnections without relying on traditional voltage regulation equipment or extensive infrastructure upgrades.
Building on early deployment experience, Pepco is now advancing the next phase of this initiative by developing a formal utility standard for the application and integration of VRDTs across its distribution system. This effort translates pilot learnings into a scalable framework that utilities can use to guide planning, deployment, and operational integration of transformer-embedded voltage regulation.
This session will present insights from Pepco’s pilot installations, including site selection methodology, installation considerations, operational observations, and integration with distribution planning practices.
Attendees will gain practical insight into how VRDTs can serve as a scalable grid-enhancing technology that improves voltage management, increases DER hosting capacity, and simplifies deployment compared with traditional voltage regulation approaches. The session will also discuss how establishing internal standards and sharing documented best practices can accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across the utility sector.
