Showing papers in "IEEE Power & Energy Magazine in 2019"
TL;DR: In regions such as hawai'i, south australia, Tasmania, Texas, and Ireland, power systems are commonly experiencing instantaneous penetration levels of inverter-based power sources (IBPSs) such as wind, solar photovoltaics (PV), and battery storage in excess of 50n60% relative to system demands as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In regions such as hawai'i, south australia, Tasmania, Texas, and Ireland, power systems are commonly experiencing instantaneous penetration levels of inverter-based power sources (IBPSs) such as wind, solar photovoltaics (PV), and battery storage in excess of 50n60% relative to system demands.
200 citations
TL;DR: The recent proliferation of distributed energy resources is creating new options for the delivery of key electricity services, including energy, firm capacity, operating reserves, and even alternatives to transmission or distribution network investments.
Abstract: The recent proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) is creating new options for the delivery of key electricity services, including energy, firm capacity, operating reserves, and even alternatives to transmission or distribution network investments. Rooftop solar photovoltaics (PVs) have the highest profile of these resources, but DERs include any generator or energy-storage device connected at distribution voltage levels and characterized by relatively small capacities (e.g., a few kilowatts to a few megawatts). In addition, improved power electronics and communication and control technologies enable more efficient and dynamic electricity consumption as well as the ability for flexible demand (demand response) to serve as a DER in many contexts.
45 citations
TL;DR: Since the late 19th century, ac power transmiss ion systems have been widely used for interconnecting multiple power-producing plants with load centers with high redundancy and operating flexibility now operate worldwide.
Abstract: Since the late 19th century, ac power transmiss ion systems have been widely used for interconnecting multiple power-producing plants with load centers. Highly meshed ac transmission grids with high redundancy and operating flexibility now operate worldwide. These complex ac systems have proven reliable in securely providing high levels of power, while also accommodating multiple voltage levels to reduce loss.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use meteorological forecasts of meteorological variables for long-term planning, capturing changing frequencies of extreme events, such as cold and hot periods, and identifying suitable locations for deploying new resources.
Abstract: Much of the electric system is weather dependent; thus, our ability to forecast the weather contributes to its efficient and economical operation. Climatological forecasts of meteorological variables are used for long-term planning, capturing changing frequencies of extreme events, such as cold and hot periods, and identifying suitable locations for deploying new resources. Planning for fuel delivery and maintenance relies on subseasonal to seasonal forecasts. On shorter timescales of days, the weather affects both energy demand and supply. Electrical load depends critically on weather because electricity is used for heating and cooling. As more renewable energy is deployed, it becomes increasingly important to understand how these energy sources vary with atmospheric conditions; thus, predictions are necessary for planning unit commitments. On the scales of minutes to hours, shortterm nowcasts aid in the real-time grid integration of these variable energy resources (VERs).
40 citations
TL;DR: Protecting high-voltage (HV) DC grids requires a different approach compared with that of ac power system protection and poses one of the major challenges that must be resolved before the realization of largescale HVdc grids that use equipment from multiple vendors.
Abstract: Protecting high-voltage (HV) DC grids requires a different approach compared with that of ac power system protection and poses one of the major challenges that must be resolved before the realization of largescale HVdc grids that use equipment from multiple vendors. HVdc grid protection, which is essential for safe and reliable HVdc grid operation, entails the appropriate detection and fault clearing of dc-side short circuit faults (i.e., dc faults). In this context, fault clearing refers to interrupting the dc fault current and isolating the faulted component.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a distributed energy resources (DERs) to contribute to the provision of system balancing and security services and support a cost-effective transition to a lower-carbon energy system.
Abstract: Decarbonization of the electricity system will require significant and continued investment in low-carbon energy sources and electrification of the heat and transport sectors. With diminishing output and shorter operating hours of conventional large-scale fossil-fueled generators, there is a growing need and opportunity for distributed energy resources (DERs) to contribute to the provision of system balancing and security services and support a cost-effective transition to a lower-carbon energy system. Emerging smart technologies will open new opportunities for millions of users to participate actively in the trading of electricity and various ancillary services through alternative mechanisms, such as dynamic pricing, local energy markets, security markets, and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.
32 citations
TL;DR: The European Union (EU) aims to develop an integrated electricity market as an efficient instrument to achieve the energy policy targets of security, affordability, and sustainability, and many milestones have already been reached, including the implementation of a European platform for the simultaneous clearing of day-ahead markets, the design of several platforms for coordinating intraday and regional balancing markets, and the enforcement of guidelines for the designing of capacity mechanisms.
Abstract: The European Union (EU) aims to develop an integrated electricity market as an efficient instrument to achieve the energy policy targets of security, affordability, and sustainability. Many milestones have already been reached, including the implementation of a European platform for the simultaneous clearing of day-ahead markets, the design of several platforms for coordinating intraday and regional balancing markets, and the enforcement of guidelines for the design of capacity mechanisms (CMs). There are still many challenges ahead for this market: the integration of large amounts of renewable energy, the proliferation of distributed resources, higher consumer engagement, and the sheer scale and complexity of a market serving 500 million citizens. This is a fascinating task that will keep us busy in the coming years.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the U.S. power industry began its restructuring process, which involved a transition from a vertically integrated utility structure where generation, transmission, and distribution are combined to serve consumers, to a market environment where generation companies can compete with each other to provide energy through open transmission and distribution systems managed by transmission (TransCos) and distribution companies (DisCos).
Abstract: Following Order 888 from the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) in 1996, the U.S. power industry began its restructuring process. This undertaking involved a transition from a vertically integrated utility structure where generation, transmission, and distribution are combined to serve consumers. Through advancing to a market environment, generation companies (GenCos) can compete with each other to provide energy through open transmission and distribution systems managed by transmission (TransCos) and distribution companies (DisCos). The goals of the restructuring are the efficient production of electricity and efficient generation investment through competition. Under the restructured environment shown in Figure 1, wholesale electricity markets are managed by independent system operators (ISOs) or regional transmission organizations (RTOs), whose responsibility is reliable system operation, market administration, and system planning. GenCos, large consumers, load aggregators, marketers, and load serving entities (LSEs) buy and sell electricity through FERC-regulated wholesale electricity markets. Small consumers like individual households, some large consumers, LSEs, marketers, and load aggregators can transact energy either at a regulated retail rate overseen by the public utility commission (PUC) or through retail competition. The restructuring process has been complex, especially in trying to harmonize the wholesale and retail sides, and involves many stakeholders from both public and private sectors (see Figure 1).
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarize the findings of a new Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study on the future of nuclear energy and recommend that governments create policies that equally recognize the environmental and societal benefits of all low-carbon energy technologies.
Abstract: In this article, we summarize the findings of a new Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study on the future of nuclear energy. In the 21st century, the world faces the novel challenge of drastically reducing emissions of greenhouse gases while simultaneously expanding energy access and economic opportunity to billions of people. We examine this challenge in the electricity sector, which has been widely identified as an early candidate for deep decarbonization. In most regions, serving the projected electricity demand in 2050 while simultaneously reducing emissions will require a mix of electrical generation assets different from the current system. Although a variety of low- or zero-carbon technologies can be employed, our analysis demonstrates the potential contribution nuclear can make as a dispatchable low-carbon technology. The least-cost portfolios in our analysis include an important share for nuclear, the magnitude of which grows significantly as its cost drops. Therefore, there are strong incentives for industry to reduce the cost of new nuclear plants, and here we identify promising approaches for achieving such cost reductions. We recommend that governments create policies that equally recognize the environmental and societal benefits of all low-carbon energy technologies. Without a balanced portfolio of dispatchable and variable energy sources, the cost and difficulty of achieving decarbonization targets increases significantly.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a decentralized, decentralized, local, on-site distributed electricity generation system, which is the opposite of centralized electricity production, the mode that has dominated modern commercial electrical supplies for more than a century.
Abstract: Distributed electricity generation is the opposite of centralized electricity production, the mode that has dominated modern commercial electrical supplies for more than a century. Rather than relying on large central stations (fossil fueled, nuclear, or hydro) and high-voltage transmission lines, distributed electricity generation depends on small-scale, decentralized, local, on-site generation, preferably by tapping renewable energy sources. This arrangement avoids long-distance transmission losses, and, once organized in a web of smart microgrids, its design improves supply stability and reliability and gives users more control. As the cost of new renewable energy conversions continues to decline, this form of electricity supply is expected to claim a rising share of overall generation. Indeed, according to Rodan Energy, distributed generation is not just the future of electricity, but also "the future of energy."
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the share of electricity in final energy consumption can grow from above 30% in 2030 to nearly 40% in 2050, and that decentralized generation capacity could account for more than 30% of all generation capacity in 2030 and could easily exceed half of installed generation capacity by 2050.
Abstract: Based on current policy targets, projections, and expectations, electricity is set to play a central role in the European Union's (EU's) economy. The ambitious goals of decarbonization and energy-efficient actions include decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2030 and 95% in 2050 down to below 1990 levels, increasing the renewable energy share to at least 27% of final energy consumption in 2030, and attaining 27% energy savings by 2030 as compared to business- as-usual rates of growth. Correlated electrification, decentralization, and digitalization trends suggest that the share of electricity in final energy consumption can grow from above 30% in 2030 to nearly 40% in 2050. Decentralized generation capacity could account for more than 30% of all generation capacity in 2030 and could easily exceed half of installed generation capacity by 2050. Intelligent inverters can double the distribution grid's capacity to the host photovoltaic systems. Smart meters are scheduled to reach nearly half of the EU's citizens by 2020, whereas Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices (with embedded functions that interact with the grid) could serve the majority of the EU's population by 2030.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore and quantify mutual interactions as well as seek examples of how these integrations can provide flexibility and other benefits in the energy system integration, while ensuring operational reliability.
Abstract: Energy systems integration, or sector coupling, has several drivers that span climate impact mitigation and economics to social and regulatory considerations. A key question is what is sector coupling, and how does it impact the flexibility of the energy system? Here, the energy system includes several sectorsmelectricity, gas, heat, and transportationmthat have been independent for decades in most countries except for their coupling via combined heat and power (CHP) units. In energy systems integration, some sectors may provide flexibility to other sectors, while other sectors will require flexibility when interlinking. To support these synergies among sectors, it is important to explore and quantify mutual interactions as well as seek examples of how these integrations can provide flexibility and other benefits. From the perspective of the electricity sector, it is important to ensure that there is enough flexibility in the interconnected systems to support decarbonization goals, such as those set in the Paris Agreement, while ensuring operational reliability.
TL;DR: The substation of the future will move away from the current single-purpose, hardware-based protection and automation systems and replace them with a software-defined control system running virtual services: a digitally enabled substation.
Abstract: The substation of the future will move away from the current single-purpose, hardware-based protection and automation systems and replace them with a software-defined control system running virtual services: a digitally enabled substation. This is necessary to enable substation systems to adapt to the new reality of an increasing amount of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) changing operating requirements and affecting feeder power flow, voltage, and protection functions. Wind power, solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) may be connected anywhere to the grid. Unless operation is coordinated, the geographic concentration of DERs by different owners could potentially result in a negative impact to the existing grid.
TL;DR: The effects of DERs can be attributed to the uncertainty, variability, and lack of visibility of these resources at the BPS level.
Abstract: Distributed energy resources (DERs) are unlocking new opportunities, and the grid is undergoing a dramatic transformation with unprecedented change. Yet as DERs continue to grow in North America and around the world, it is apparent that the aggregate amount of them is having an impact on bulk power system (BPS) planning and operation. The effects of DERs can be attributed to the uncertainty, variability, and lack of visibility of these resources at the BPS level.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the challenges and opportunities of variable renewable energy (VRE) on the bulk power system and propose a market-design change to accommodate the variability, uncertainty, near zero-cost, and emissions-free attributes of these resources.
Abstract: The increase in variable renewable energy (VRE) on the bulk power system can create both challenges and opportunities, as described throughout this issue of IEEE Power a Energy Magazine. Many regions across the world are starting to approach penetration percentages that were unprecedented during the initial introduction of organized wholesale electricity markets. We have seen that market operators, market participants, and regulators have been up to the task. They have prioritized, designed, and implemented market-design changes to accommodate the variability, uncertainty, near-zero-cost, and emissions-free attributes of these resources. The challenge is to ensure that electricity is provided reliably and economically, with compatible incentives to compensate the parties that contribute to doing so. Around the world, markets are experiencing increasing levels of renewables, and ongoing design enhancements are being discussed. Market operators can borrow design characteristics from each other and learn which designs may or may not work. However, as an industry, we are starting to look past these modestly high penetration percentages of VRE. We are starting to ask what a market would look like if the entire energy supply for a particular interval were supplied with 70, 80, 90, or 100% renewable resources.
TL;DR: The power system of the future is a work in progress as discussed by the authors, and how it eventually looks and works, its architecture, and its key participants' roles and business models will be the outcomes of trends, forces, and policies at play today and the decisions and actions of many diverse actors in the energy transition.
Abstract: The power system of the future is a work in progress. How it eventually looks and works, its architecture, and its key participants' roles and business models will be the outcomes of trends, forces, and policies at play today and the decisions and actions of many diverse actors in the energy transition.
TL;DR: The combination of such dependence on electric power along with classical threats such as severe weather and modern concerns (e.g., cyberattacks) creates an imperative for grid resilience.
Abstract: With a heavy dependence on electric power worldwide for critical services ranging from communication and banking to water treatment and medical care, the availability of reliable electricity proves essential for a productive society in the 21st century. Even short interruptions in service may result in significant lost revenue and widespread disruption in large grids serving tens of millions of customers. The combination of such dependence on electric power along with classical threats (e.g., severe weather) and modern concerns (e.g., cyberattacks) creates an imperative for grid resilience.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors give a historical perspective on the creation of markets for electric power and how those markets have been adapted to new needs, and what market designers need to pay attention to now.
Abstract: New generation, storage, demand management, and smart grid technologies have the potential to make the grid of 2050 very different from today's power system. Can market designers keep up, and what do they need to pay attention to now? Before offering a few answers to these questions, we first give some historical perspective on the creation of markets for electric power and how those markets have been adapted to new needs.
TL;DR: The utility industry is evolving quickly in response to mounting public pressure for cleaner electricity and overall cleaner energy as discussed by the authors, and utilities such as American Electric Power and Xcel Energy have goals of 100% renewables or 100% carbon-free emissions.
Abstract: The utility industry is evolving quickly in response to mounting public pressure for cleaner electricity and overall cleaner energy. An increasing number of countries such as Denmark, states such as Hawai'i and California, and utilities such as American Electric Power and Xcel Energy have goals of 100% renewables or 100% carbon-free emissions. Renewable technologies include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, and others; carbon-free technologies typically include renewables, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that wind and solar have become the dominant renewable resources in California, with solar predominating in the last five years and showed that the loss of inertial kinetic energy and reactive power resources presents a challenge to maintaining system reliability and stability.
Abstract: California has a mandated renewables portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring that 33% of electricity retail sales be served by renewable energy resources by 2020, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. Over the last 10 years, wind and solar have become the dominant renewable resources in California, with solar predominating in the last five years. Figure 1 shows the renewable generation growth trend from 1983 to 2018. Combined with the retirements of fossil fuel and nuclear generation, the California grid is experiencing the loss of inertial kinetic energy and reactive power resources, which presents a challenge to maintaining system reliability and stability.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a single-period economic dispatch model for analyzing the underlying basic principles of the wholesale electricity market in the United States, based on analyses done when large thermal generators dominated the structure of the electricity market.
Abstract: Organized wholesale electricity markets in the United States follow the principles of bid-based, security-constrained, economic dispatch with locational marginal prices. The basic elements build on analyses done when large thermal generators dominated the structure of the electricity market in most countries. Notable exceptions were countries like Brazil that utilized large-scale pondage hydro systems. For such systems, the critical problem centered on managing a multiyear inventory of stored water. But for most developed electricity systems, the dominance of thermal generation implied that the major interactions in unit commitment decisions would be measured in hours to days, and the interactions in operating decisions would occur over minutes to hours. As a result, single-period economic dispatch became the dominant model for analyzing the underlying basic principles.
TL;DR: With the increased integration of renewable energy generation, high-voltage direct current (HVdc) will become more prevalent in the power system, and HVdc grids are being considered as a cost-effective solution to transmit power.
Abstract: With the increased integration of renewable energy generation, high-voltage direct current (HVdc) will become more prevalent in the power system. Anticipated annual growth rates are in the range of 7-10%. While most systems in operation and under construction are pointto-point connections, the first multiterminal HVdc systems have already been commissioned. As a next step, HVdc grids are being considered as a cost-effective solution to transmit power. These HVdc grids are expected to gradually develop from existing point-to-point links, mirroring the development of ac grids throughout the 20th century. Such HVdc grids will be an integral part of the power system, operating as a separate transmission layer of the future hybrid ac/dc network.
TL;DR: The electric power industry is faced with the challenges of mitigating climate change, maintaining low electricity prices, and satisfying high reliability requirements for power supply as mentioned in this paper, which is the main challenge of the electric power sector.
Abstract: The electric power industry is faced with the challenges of mitigating climate change, maintaining low electricity prices, and satisfying high reliability requirements for power supply.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the restoration in remote mountainous regions took considerably longer than the rest of the island due to the lack of power supply due to Hurricane Maria, which left large parts of Puerto Rico without electricity for months.
Abstract: Hurricane Maria Struck Puerto Rico on 20 September 2017 and left large parts of the island without electricity for months. As Figure 1 shows, restoration in remote mountainous regions took considerably longer.
TL;DR: The inforrmation age continues to transform the mechanics of integrating electric power devices and systems, from coordinated operations based purely on the physics of electric power engineering to an increasing blend of power with information and communication technology.
Abstract: The inforrmation age continues to transform the mechanics of integrating electric power devices and systems, from coordinated operations based purely on the physics of electric power engineering to an increasing blend of power with information and communication technology. Integrating electric system components is not just about attaching wires. It requires the connection of computer-based automation systems to associated sensing and communication equipment. The architectural impacts are significant. Well-considered and commonly held concepts, principles, and organizational structures continue to emerge to address the complexity of the integrated operational challenges that drive our society to expect more flexibility in configuring the electric power system, while simultaneously achieving greater efficiency, reliability, and resilience. Architectural concepts, such as modularity and composability, contribute to the creation of structures that enable the connection of power system equipment characterized by clearly defined interfaces consisting of physical and cyberlinks. The result of successful electric power system component connection is interoperation: the discipline that drives integration to be simple and reliable.
TL;DR: The Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has created a number of initiatives for encouraging both green and smart energy in the global energy industry as discussed by the authors, which will be implemented in future substations.
Abstract: The Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has created a number of initiatives for encouraging both green and smart energy in the global energy industry. With the aim of being a smart energy creator, KEPCO conducted R&D for green and smart substations over the last 10 years, which will be implemented in future substations.
TL;DR: System plans must provide a practical solution for power system expansion that complies with strict reliability performance criteria, including contingencies (faults) on the 765-kV transmission system.
Abstract: As a power network isolated from neighboring countries, the electricity infrastructure in South Korea (also called the Republic of Korea) requires a high level of preparation for adopting future grid technologies. System plans must provide a practical solution for power system expansion that complies with strict reliability performance criteria, including contingencies (faults) on the 765-kV transmission system. System improvements must also provide a practical solution for exchanging power between the mainland and Jeju Island, which is viewed as a carbon-free area because of the expected development of wind generation.
TL;DR: New developments are largely driven by evolving consumer expectations, the emergence of new technologies, and the change from central economies of scale to network economies, including increased penetration of distributed energy resources connected at the distribution level and by ubiquitous communication connectivity.
Abstract: By the beginning of the present decade, it had become clear that efforts to improve U.S. electric power systems as well as power systems around the world were being stymied by a problem that was more or less recognized but not often articulated: the overwhelming complexity of what is generally and loosely referred to as the grid had become so great that understanding the implications of changes to the grid, or even determining what changes should be made, was significantly impeding grid modernization. Less obvious, but just as significant, changes to the grid were already occurring that increasingly diverged from the basic principles and assumptions under which the 20th century grid was developed. These changes could lead to severe consequences for grid reliability and functionality if they were not addressed. New developments are largely driven by evolving consumer expectations, the emergence of new technologies, and the change from central economies of scale to network economies. The latter is driven by increased penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) connected at the distribution level ("the grid edge") and by ubiquitous communication connectivity. Additional drivers include deficiencies in resilience and increasing threat of cyberattack.
TL;DR: Hawailan electric companies the United States in private rooftop solar adoption, with 30% of single-family homes pushing electricity onto the grid as mentioned in this paper, which is why Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawai'i Electric Light developed a comprehensive grid modernization strategy.
Abstract: The Hawailan electric companies the United States in private rooftop solar adoption, with 30% of single-family homes pushing electricity onto the grid. The grid of the future must better accommodate this two-way flow of energy, which is why Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawai'i Electric Light developed a comprehensive grid modernization strategy. "Modernizing Hawai'i's Grid for Our Customers" was published in August 2017 with input from both customers and stakeholders.