Showing papers in "IEEE Power & Energy Magazine in 2021"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the use of IBRs in a secondary network system and show that it is conceivable that they could also be considered for deployment on secondary network systems.
Abstract: Microgrids are being deployed at a rising rate, primarily as a means of increasing power system resilience. Commonly, a microgrid today includes at least some inverter-based resources (IBRs), and many microgrids have modes or conditions under which they are entirely energized by IBRs. Most microgrids today are deployed on radial distribution circuits, but it is conceivable that they could also be considered for deployment on secondary network systems.
50 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the European Commission has set targets for 2030 to achieve at least 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with respect to the 1990 baseline level and cover at least 32% of the total energy consumption in the European Union (EU) through renewable energy sources, predominantly wind and solar generation.
Abstract: Driven by climate change concerns, Europe has taken significant initiatives toward the decarbonization of its energy system. The European Commission (EC) has set targets for 2030 to achieve at least 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with respect to the 1990 baseline level and cover at least 32% of the total energy consumption in the European Union (EU) through renewable energy sources, predominantly wind and solar generation. However, these technologies are inherently characterized by high variability, limited predictability and controllability, and lack of inertia, significantly increasing the balancing requirements of the system with respect to historical levels. The flexibility burden is currently carried by flexible fossil-fueled conventional generators (mainly gas), which are required to produce significantly less energy (as low operating cost and CO2-free renewable and nuclear generation are prioritized in the merit order) and operate part loaded with frequent startup and shut-down cycles, with devastating effects on their cost efficiency.
47 citations
TL;DR: In the next few years, with the evergrowing dependence on IBRs, some synchronous areas will be operating, at least occasionally, with 100% (or nearly 100%) IBR as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The global, rapid evolution of power systems introduces a wide array of technologies that use power electronics to interface with the grid. As the generation portfolio changes, synchronous equipment that traditionally provided services necessary for stable grid operation is being displaced by inverter-based resources (IBRs), such as wind, solar photovoltaic, and battery storage. In the next few years, with the ever-growing dependence on IBRs, some synchronous areas will be operating, at least occasionally, with 100% (or nearly 100%) IBRs (see “What Is 100%?”). Therefore, IBRs must become a primary support of stable grids.
41 citations
TL;DR: The Danish government has set very ambitious binding targets regarding decarbonization as mentioned in this paper, which can be achieved primarily through a predominantly renewables-based electricity system and the electrification of energy demand.
Abstract: The Danish government has set very ambitious binding targets regarding decarbonization. By 2030, carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by 70% compared to the 1990 level. This can be achieved primarily through a predominantly renewables-based electricity system and the electrification of energy demand.
31 citations
TL;DR: The proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) at the edge of the grid has created the opportunity for aggregators to manage multiple customers (hereafter referred to as active customers) and their DERs to participate in energy and ancillary service markets and provide various local and system-level grid services as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) at the edge of the grid, such as residential solar photovoltaics and batteries, has created the opportunity for aggregators to manage multiple customers (hereafter referred to as active customers) and their DERs to participate in energy and ancillary service markets and provide various local and system-level grid services. These aggregators strive to create a large portfolio involving thousands of active customers and thus achieve the flexibility to create a substantial aggregated response at the system level.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the effect of new types of renewable power generation (i.e., wind, solar, tidal wave, and so on) and their increasing share of the generation portfolio.
Abstract: For decades, electricity transmission systems were planned to operate within the scope of active power transfers that, by their nature, were fairly well defined and limited in number, size, and direction. However, in recent years, this situation has been dramatically changing in front of our eyes as a result of two main developments. The first concerns new types of renewable power generation (i.e., wind, solar, tidal wave, and so on) and their increasing share of the generation portfolio. The second relates to the introduction and evolution of electricity markets. These factors contribute to fundamental changes in generation patterns and power transfers in ways that were not anticipated.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a low-carbon power system that can support the fight against climate change and help solve the security of supply issues in many countries, and successfully resolving the "affordabilitysustainability-reliability" energy trilemma is crucial for paving the way to low carbon energy futures.
Abstract: Worldwide, there are unstoppable forces toward low-carbon power systems that can support the fight against climate change and help solve the security of supply issues in many countries. Low-carbon grids are likely to be characterized by substantial renewable energy sources, both centralized and distributed, combined with intelligent and dynamic demand-side technology and multisector electrification (including heating, transport, and future fuels). In this context, successfully resolving the "affordability-sustainability-reliability" energy trilemma is crucial for paving the way to low-carbon energy futures.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors defined microgrids as distribution networks with distributed energy resources (DERs) operating in a controlled and coordinated way, and the ability to operate connected to the main power network or islanded.
Abstract: Microgrids have gained significant interest over the last 20 years and are perceived as key components of future power systems. Microgrids are defined as distribution networks with distributed energy resources (DERs) (e.g., distributed generators, storage devices, and controllable loads) operating in a controlled and coordinated way. Moreover, microgrids should have clear electrical boundaries and the ability to operate connected to the main power network or islanded. The coordinated control of microgrid resources increases energy efficiency, minimizes the overall energy consumption, and reduces the environmental impacts of energy production. At the same time, the ability of microgrids to seamlessly transition to islanded operation when upstream network faults occur increases the reliability and resilience of the customer supply. Furthermore, microgrids have been adopted as prominent and viable solutions for rural electrification in developing countries, isolated areas, or areas with weak power transmission infrastructures.
16 citations
TL;DR: The basic features of an efficient short-term wholesale market design do not necessarily need to change to accommodate a significantly larger share of zero-marginal-cost, intermittent renewable energy from wind and solar resources as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The basic features of an efficient short-term wholesale market design do not necessarily need to change to accommodate a significantly larger share of zero-marginal-cost, intermittent renewable energy from wind and solar resources. A large share of controllable zero-marginal-cost generation does not create any additional market design challenge relative to a market with a large share of controllable positive marginal cost generation. Regardless of the technology, generation unit owners must recover their fixed costs from sales of energy, ancillary services, and long-term resource adequacy products.
14 citations
University College Dublin1, National Renewable Energy Laboratory2, Newcastle University3, University of Kassel4, Technical University of Denmark5, Imperial College London6, National Grid plc7, University of Texas at Austin8, General Electric9, California independent system operator10, Electric Power Research Institute11, GHD Group12, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation13
TL;DR: The primary objective of a power system is to safely provide reliable energy services to society at an affordable cost, which has culminated in the energy transition to low-carbon and zero-carbon energy systems as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The primary objective of a power system is to safely provide reliable energy services to society at an affordable cost. In many countries, this objective has been supplemented by another: meeting the energy demand with sustainable resources, which has culminated in the energy transition to low-carbon and zero-carbon energy systems. This transition, occurring rapidly around the world, is characterized by the increasing penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE), inverter-based resources (IBRs), and distributed energy resources (DERs).
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the protection of IBR-sourced microgrids and show that the IBRs are often distributed throughout a system, their fault currents are generally low, and the current flow is not unidirectional.
Abstract: Secondary networks are deployed when exceptionally high-reliability electric service is required for specific loads. Secondary network protection makes extensive use of the fact that the available fault currents in such systems are typically very high. Also, most faults in secondary networks must be isolated from both sides, which requires some special considerations. Today, microgrids are also being deployed as a means of increasing power system resilience on radial circuits. Many microgrids are energized exclusively by inverter-based resources (IBRs), either all the time or under certain operational conditions. The protection of IBR-sourced microgrids is entirely different from that of secondary networks. IBRs are often distributed throughout a system, their fault currents are generally low, and the current flow is not unidirectional. Thus, if it were ever contemplated to deploy a microgrid on a secondary network, significant system protection challenges would have to be overcome.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explain some of the challenges of microgrid and inverter-based resources and share several common techniques used to overcome them with programmable protective relays (PPRs).
Abstract: Microgrids and inverter-based resources (IBRs) offer an exciting promise of clean, renewable, and resilient energy. However, these emerging technologies pose a new set of challenges due to simulated inertia, limited overload current contributions, firmware-based inverter behavior, and more. This article explains some of these challenges and shares several common techniques used to overcome them with programmable protective relays (PPRs).
TL;DR: In the United States and Canada, electricity markets have evolved since their inception in the late 1990s and early 2000s as mentioned in this paper, with designs developed through stakeholder processes and approved through state, provincial, or federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Abstract: Electricity markets in the united states and Canada have evolved since their inception in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Not all states and provinces moved toward restructured organized electricity markets, but rather those that have belonged to markets operated by independent system operators (ISOs) and regional transmission organizations, with designs developed through stakeholder processes and approved through state, provincial, or federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
TL;DR: The national electricity market (NEM) of Australia, operated by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), comprises five regions on the eastern coast of Australia and together, they exhibit unique characteristics compared to most other international power systems as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The national electricity market (NEM) of Australia, operated by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), comprises five regions on the eastern coast of Australia. Together, they exhibit unique characteristics compared to most other international power systems. This stems from world-class wind and solar resources and the absence of interconnection to neighboring countries.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the suitability of relying on short-term market prices as an efficient signal to drive investments, especially in the current context in which not only traditional generators but also end users can decide to invest in energy supply resources, and an increasing amount of new generation investments have zero or close to zero variable costs.
Abstract: In the 1980s, some seminal works such as markets for power: an analysis of Electric Utility Deregulation by Joskow and Schmalensee and Spot Pricing of Electricity by Schweppe et al. set the foundations for electric power system restructuring toward a fully liberalized, marginal price-based market environment in which generators and end users trade. Even then, it was clear that the task was not going to be easy, but an increasingly and always significant portion of the industry and academic community thought that it was at least possible. More than three decades after the first power markets were implemented, the entire "power sector community" continues to discuss the suitability of relying on short-term market prices as an efficient signal to drive investments, especially in the current context in which not only traditional generators but also end users can decide to invest in energy supply resources, and an increasing amount of new generation investments have zero or close to zero variable costs, which some people see as a threat to the short-term market paradigm.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a new and effective way to deal with high-impact, low-probability (HILP) events in power systems, which are characterized by higher operational uncertainty and a risk profile that is correspondingly difficult to assess.
Abstract: Extreme events are increasingly affecting power systems worldwide, calling for new and effective ways to deal with these so-called high-impact, lowprobability (HILP) events. The situation is exacerbated by a transition to low-carbon grids. These systems are dominated by inverter-based resources, including different types of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources and distributed energy resources (DERs), and are characterized by higher operational uncertainty and a risk profile that is correspondingly difficult to assess.
TL;DR: In this paper, large reductions in the cost of renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and solar, as well as various instruments used to achieve decarbonization targets (e.g., renewable mandates, renewable auctions, subsidies, and carbon pricing mechanisms) are driving the rapid growth of investments in these generation technologies worldwide.
Abstract: Large reductions in the cost of renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and solar, as well as various instruments used to achieve decarbonization targets (e.g., renewable mandates, renewable auctions, subsidies, and carbon pricing mechanisms) are driving the rapid growth of investments in these generation technologies worldwide.
TL;DR: The national electricity market (nem) power system as mentioned in this paper interconnects five regions in eastern and southern Australia and delivers around 80% of the national electricity consumption, and has no interconnection to neighboring countries, covers large geographical distances and contains world-class wind and solar resources.
Abstract: The national electricity market (nem) power system interconnects five regions in eastern and southern Australia and delivers around 80% of the national electricity consumption. The NEM and its electrical regions exhibit unique characteristics compared to most other power systems. It has no interconnection to neighboring countries, covers large geographical distances, and contains world-class wind and solar resources.
TL;DR: A small island community and tourist hot spot called Bruny island, known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, rugged coastline, and delicious produce, is located off the southern coast of tasmania, Australia as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Off the southern coast of tasmania, Australia, lies a small island community and tourist hot spot called Bruny Island, known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, rugged coastline, and delicious produce (Figure 1). Just as the island population rises and falls with the holiday peaks, so, too, does the load on the undersea electricity cable connecting the island to mainland Tasmania, pushing the aging cable to its limits.
TL;DR: The early microgrid experience occurred in behind-themeter applications for installations with critical loads and significant backup power and load prioritization requirements as mentioned in this paper, and available codes and standards consisted mostly of adapted device-level legacy emergency and standby power requirements.
Abstract: Microgrids are becoming a significant aggregation of distributed energy resources (DERs) that improves the reliability and resilience of the power delivery system. Most of the early microgrid experience occurred in behind-themeter applications for installations with critical loads and significant backup power and load prioritization requirements. Very successful systems that include campus and utility applications have been operational for up to and exceeding a decade. For these early systems, available codes and standards consisted mostly of adapted device-level legacy emergency and standby power requirements. Grid interconnection and efficient, safe operating requirements were improvised via programmed computers, and the protection focus was the microgrids themselves. The larger microgrid installations often required qualified staff trained to monitor and operate the systems.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe how top-down policy support and bottom-up initiatives shaped the Danish wind power sector, ultimately facilitating the integration of wind energy in the grid.
Abstract: This history of wind energy in Denmark describes how top-down policy support and bottom-up initiatives shaped the Danish wind power sector, ultimately facilitating the integration of wind energy in the grid. From the early days of wind power, innovative entrepreneurs tinkered with and improved upon the emergent wind power technologies, but coal and oil remained the prioritized fuels for the almost entirely energy importdependent country. After the economic shock of the global energy crisis in the 1970s, the Danish government focused on energy efficiency, independence, and diversification and sought alternatives to oil. Proactive antinuclear movements called for alternatives to nuclear power.
TL;DR: The electric reliability council of Texas (ERCOT) is the independent transmission system operator that manages the flow of electric power to serve 90% of the state's electric load.
Abstract: The electric reliability council of Texas (ERCOT) is the independent transmission system operator that manages the flow of electric power to serve 90% of the state's electric load. ERCOT's system-wide load peaked at 74,820 MW on 12 August 2019.