Integration of Solar and Wind into a Smart Grid

This course introduces the building blocks for the modern power system with increased penetration of renewable resources. The electric power system is undergoing changes due to short-term, mid-term, and long-term business objectives. At the same time, it has become increasingly necessary to leverage the changes brought by the new technologies in renewable resources and power electronics and balance these with the ever-changing consumer expectations.   
 

The operating flexibility
 

The course presents the integration of solar power in light of regulatory changes and the penetration of large solar energy resources facilitated by the operating flexibility brought by power electronics.  The unique characteristics of solar projects are discussed from a local, consumer-centric, and also from system perspective, bringing to life the ever-changing paradigm for delivering energy to customers. Interoperability aspects and standards are discussed, as well as the consumer-centric paradigm of Transactive Energy.

 

The course presents the technical challenges associated with interconnecting and integrating hundreds of gigawatts of solar power onto the electricity grid, safely and reliably. It introduces state-of-the-art methodologies in forecasting solar power, along with case studies from the international community.
 

The flexibility of the invertor-based resources facilitates higher penetrations of PVs, storage, and demand response, and co-optimizes customer resources. The course describes how the microgrids’ controllers allow fully automated energy management.
 

The course gives a broad overview of the power systems fundamentals, new grid requirements, and the increased impact of renewable resources on the operation and planning of the power system. It provides the necessary tools to understand the short and long-term reliability assessments and the processes undertaken to evaluate long-term adequacy requirements.  The system automation is increasingly sophisticated with advanced information technology and digital controls, leading to a network that not only benefits from self-healing elements but also facilitates new business models for all classes of customers.