Discipline: Computer Sciences & Information Management
Subcategory: STEM Research
- New Mexico State University
Co-Author(s): Satish Ranade, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Our research supports the creation of the Sustainable, Modular, Adaptive, Reliable/Robust/Resilient and Transactive (SMART) grid framework. This framework is based on the concept of Distribution Feeder Microgrids (DFMs) interacting with each other via an enhanced transmission and communication infrastructure. In combination with the transmission and communications enhancements, the DFMs will result in a grid that is:
* Sustainable: The DFM structure enables more innovation in and competition for energy services, promoting economic efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Moreover, the single-point control of storage and load will interact with high levels of transmission-level sustainable resources (e.g., large-scale wind, solar, nuclear) in energy management and promote stability. High levels of local renewable energy are also inherently promoted.
* Modular: Enabled by enhanced communications and control algorithms, DFMs can operate individually and in cohorts to support each other and the grid, in contrast to the existing ?all or nothing? paradigm.
* Adaptive: Individually, DFMs can respond to changes at multiple time scales, from varying levels of intermittent generation (on the timescale of seconds) to the adoption of new technologies (on the timescale of years), as a consequence of standardized yet flexible information exchange and controls.
* Reliable, Robust and Resilient: DFMs support the spectrum from reliability to robustness and resilience on multiple fronts. By enabling flexibility in operations, the grid provides quality service even in the face of ever-increasing amounts of non-dispatchable generation. Because of the built-in security and protection measures combined with local storage and control, DFMs reduce the likelihood of cascading failures by rapidly acting to provide the transmission grid with load shedding, voltage support and frequency support. Finally, DFMs provide ultimate resilience by serving critical loads with local resources indefinitely, even in the event of wide-area grid failure, and by providing blackstart support to assist with the recovery of the transmission grid.
* Transactive: DFMs can be the basis of an internet-enabled energy service market, where customer devices and grid systems can, in close to real time, barter over the proper way to solve their mutual problems, and settle on the proper price for services.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): HRD-1345232
Faculty Advisor: None Listed,