Distributed Power Systems for Sustainable Energy Resources
EW-200939
Objective
This project demonstrated the integration of renewable energy sources and energy storage with the electrical grid. The technology demonstrated the feasibility of dynamically stable, modular, and cost-effective energy microgrids that can operate seamlessly in grid-parallel and off-grid modes. The project focused on a microgrid demonstration that included electrical energy sources and loads. The demonstration showed the feasibility of integrating multiple electric energy sources and storage.
Technology Description
United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Madison (UWM) demonstrated key technologies that enabled the scalable deployment of distributed power sources and energy storage in such a way that these sources appeared as a single stable source to loads and as a single entity to the electrical grid. These sources and storage were electrically wired together, presented a unique point of coupling with the grid, and communicated with an energy management system for optimized system performance and stability. The project team validated the performance of universal programmable converters and local controls. The converters performed AC\DC, AC\AC, DC\AC, DC\DC power conversion, seamless transition between grid-parallel and grid islanding operation modes, and robust ride-through voltage sags and swells. Local controls implemented in the universal programmable converter enabled operation of the sub-system without need for communication with the supervisory controller or another converter on the micro grid. A fast power switch located at the common point of coupling with the main grid enabled the micorgrid to seamless connect and reconnect to the grid under grid-outage conditions. The energy management system optimized the power flow between the microgrid components.
Benefits
Renewable-based energy microgrids can produce up to 100% of the total electric energy consumed in Department of Defense (DoD) buildings, depending on the availability of renewable sources. Assuming that the technologies demonstrated will enable the future installation of 500kW of renewable in each of the 5,429 DoD sites, 2.8 billion kWh could be produced annually. This represents 70% of the 3.8 billion kWh per year of electricity consumed by DoD facilities in 2006. Based on the assumptions of 12% average capacity factor, $0.09/kWh electricity price, and 606 kg of carbon dioxide released per every MWh of electricity generated, the widespread application of the demonstrated microgrid technology can result in cutting utility bills by $260 million/year and reducing the release of carbon dioxide by 1.7 million metric tons.
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Stella Oggianu
United Technologies Research Center
Phone: 860-610-7427
Fax: 860-610-7427
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.