Engineering topics

Widergren, Steven E

Publications and source records attributed to Widergren, Steven E.

6 records

DOE OSTI2011

Residential Real-time Price Response Simulation

The electric industry is gaining experience with innovative price responsive demand pilots and limited roll-outs to customers. One of these pilots is investigating real-time pricing signals to engage end-use systems and local distributed generation and storage in a distributed optimization process. Attractive aspects about the approach include strong scalability characteristics, simplified interfaces between automation devices, and the adaptability to integrate a wide variety of devices and systems. Experience in this nascent field is revealing a rich array of for engineering decisions and the application of complexity theory. To test the decisions, computer simulations are used to reveal insights about design, demand elasticity, and the limits of response (including consumer fatigue). Agent-based approaches lend themselves well in the simulation to modeling the participation and interaction of each piece of equipment on a distribution feeder. This paper discusses rate design and simulation experiences at the distribution feeder level where consumers and their HVAC systems and water heaters on a feeder receive real-time pricing signals.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2011

Using Smart Grids to Enhance Use of Energy-Efficiency and Renewable-Energy Technologies

This report addresses the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization’s desire to minimize the learning time required to understand the implications of smart-grid concepts so APEC members can advance their thinking in a timely manner and advance strategies regarding smart approaches that can help meet their environmental-sustainability and energy-efficiency policy goals. As significant investments are needed to grow and maintain the electricity infrastructure, consideration needs to be given to how information and communications technologies can be applied to electricity infrastructure decisions that not only meet traditional needs for basic service and reliability, but also provide the flexibility for a changing the mix of generation sources with sensitivity to environmental and societal impacts.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2010

Interoperability and the Federal Role

A smart grid is capable of integrating a broad array of generation resources and enables the participation of demand side resources in reliable system operation. To cost effectively realize this flexibility, the associated devices and systems need to connect and interact simply and reliably. Interoperability is the important ingredient to make this happen. Because the electric system transcends organizational boundaries between generators, electricity delivery companies, end-users, and other service providers, advancing interoperability between these organizations can be difficult to justify by individual organizations. But given the importance of a smart electric system to meet national economic, societal, and environmental objectives, a federal role is taking shape in the United States to improve the integration of automation elements and thus make smart grid a reality

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2010

An Orderly Transition to a Transformed Electricity System

In September, 2001, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a workshop to develop a roadmap on communication and control technologies for distributed energy resources. This paper summarizes the status of current smart grid related efforts, explains smart grid priorities, and describes the direction of research and development activities supported by the DOE.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2010

Smart Grid - Transforming Power System Operations

Abstract—Electric power systems are entering a new realm of operations. Large amounts of variable generation tax our ability to reliably operate the system. Couple this with a greater reliance on the electricity network to serve consumer demand that is likely to rise significantly even as we drive for greater efficiency. Trade-offs between energy and environmental needs will be constantly negotiated, while a reliable supply of electricity needs even greater assurance in a world where threats of disruption have risen. Smart grid capabilities are being proposed to help address the challenges confronting system operations. This paper reviews the impact of smart grid functionality on transforming power system operations. It explores models for distributed energy resources (DER – generation, storage, and load) that are appearing on the system. It reviews the evolving nature of electricity markets to deal with this complexity and a change of emphasis on signals from these markets to affect power system control. Smart grid capabilities will also impact reliable operations, while cyber security issues must be addressed as a culture change that influences all system design, implementation, and maintenance. Lastly, the paper explores significant questions for further research and the need for a simulation environment that supports such investigation and informs deployments to mitigate operational issues as they arise.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2010

Smart Grid Interoperability Maturity Model

The integration of automation associated with electricity resources (including transmission and distribution automation and demand-side resources operated by end-users) is key to supporting greater efficiencies and incorporating variable renewable resources and electric vehicles into the power system. The integration problems faced by this community are analogous to those faced in the health industry, emergency services, and other complex communities with many stakeholders. To highlight this issue and encourage communication and the development of a smart grid interoperability community, the GridWise Architecture Council (GWAC) created an Interoperability Context-Setting Framework. This "conceptual model" has been helpful to explain the importance of organizational alignment in addition to technical and informational interface specifications for "smart grid" devices and systems. As a next step to building a community sensitive to interoperability, the GWAC is investigating an interoperability maturity model (IMM) based on work done by others to address similar circumstances. The objective is to create a tool or set of tools that encourages a culture of interoperability in this emerging community. The tools would measure status and progress, analyze gaps, and prioritize efforts to improve the situation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗