High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop, April 19, 2012
Utility Solar Conference (USC) 2012 High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop
April 19, 2012, Tucson, Arizona
Sandia National Laboratories joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in conducting the High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop. The workshop brought together PV industry leaders to focus on key issues that utilities are facing with high penetration of distributed solar. Attendees reviewed and discussed the latest research in high penetration PV, integration standards, and the utilities’ efforts in distributed PV integration.
For additional information on USC 2012, visit http://www.solarelectricpower.org/utility-solar-conference.aspx.
- Workshop Agenda, (70 KB)
- Introduction to the Workshop, Tom Key, EPRI, Kevin Lynn, DOE, and Mike Taylor, SEPA (482 KB)
- Session 1: Experience with High Penetration PV, Dwain Duke, CPS Energy (1.7 MB)
- Session 2a: Data and Models for High Penetration, Tassos Golnas, Rasool Aghatehrani, and Joe Bryan, SunEdison (8.4 MB)
- Session 2b: Analysis of High Penetration, Barry Mather, NREL (13.4 MB)
- Panel Discussion, Robert Broderick, Sandia (1.6 MB)
- Session 3: Activity in Screening Procedures and Interconnection Standards, Thomas Basso, NREL (764 KB)
- Session 4: Interconnection Standards: Utility & Industry Perceptions, Darren Deffner, SEPA (2.1 MB)
Renewable Energy Integration Course, July 26, 2011
Renewable Energy Integration Course
July 26, 2011, University of Vermont
Experts from Sandia National Laboratories taught a Renewable Energy Integration Course at the University of Vermont in July 2011. The one-day course was designed to give representatives from utilities and energy technology companies as well as graduate-level students a snapshot of the current energy infrastructure, the potential effects from integration of renewable energy technologies, and the advances which will allow renewables to interact with smart grid architecture. Presentations are available below.
The course is part of a partnership recently formed between Sandia and the university. The collaboration is intended to enhance multidisciplinary education and workforce development appropriate for a smart electricity infrastructure sector; promote research collaborations to further smart grid deployment; and form liaisons with private and public stakeholders to encourage information sharing, technology transfer and job growth in the electric power sector.
For more about additional related courses and the Sandia-U partnership, visit www.uvm.edu/~vtsandia/.
Utility-Scale Grid-Tied PV Inverter Reliability Workshop, January 27-28, 2011
Utility-Scale Grid-Tied PV Inverter Reliability Workshop
January 27 and 28, 2011, Albuquerque, NM
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s Sandia National Laboratories recently hosted a workshop to discuss photovoltaic (PV) inverter reliability at the utility scale. Attendees included inverter manufacturers, integrators, utilities, independent engineers, and national laboratory and academic researchers.
The goals of this workshop included:
- Examining the perceived and actual reliability of large (100 kW+) utility-scale grid-tied PV inverters
- Evaluating current codes and standards in the industry and identifying a path forward for additional or revised codes and standards
- Identifying reliability implications for installed systems
- Defining opportunities to enhance how reliability is addressed by inverter manufacturers
- Discussing reliability best practices and potential technology advances to enhance reliability
These objectives are aligned to advance the industry-wide goal of making PV a significant part of the U.S. electricity generation portfolio and to support DOE’s missions to mitigate risk, reduce Levelized Cost of Energy, and improve the appeal of solar energy systems by quantifying connections among initial cost and performance, long-term reliability, and O&M.
The workshop was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Program.
Presentations and the agenda from the workshop are available as Adobe PDFs below. To obtain Adobe Reader, click here.
Thursday, January 27
- Welcome, Workshop Overview, Purpose: Stan Atcitty, Sandia National Laboratories and Mike Cliggett, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Inverter Manufacturer Perspective on Reliability: Jim Perkinson, Satcon (1.5 MB)
- Integrator Broad Perspective on Reliability –Customer Needs and Field Data:Tom Levitsky, First Solar (905 KB)
- Owner/Operator Perspective on Reliability – Customer Needs and Field Data:Tassos Golnas, SunEdison (736 KB)
- Survey Results and Summary: Mike Quintana, Sandia (206 KB)
- Discussion Time for Survey Results: Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International
- DOE $1/Watt Workshop and DOE Goals: Mike Cliggett, DOE (410 KB)
- Sandia’s Approach to Reliability – Overview: Jennifer Granata, Sandia (899 KB)
- IGBT Reliability Issues and Needs: John Donlon, Powerex (777 KB)
- IGBT Si- and SiC-based Switch Reliability Project: Bob Kaplar, Sandia (1.2 MB)
- Capacitor Reliability Issues and Needs: Andy Ritter, AVX Corporation (1.4 MB)
- Facilitated Discussion – Approaches to Reliability: Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International and Michael Quintana, Sandia National Laboratories
- Second Survey Based on First Day of Discussion
Friday, January 28
- Welcome and Recap of Day One: Stan Atcitty, Sandia
- Results of Second Survey: Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International
- Existing Codes and Standards (Summary):Greg Ball, BEW Engineering (1.2 MB)
- Overview of UL 1741: Tim Zgonena, Underwriters Laboratories (561 KB)
- ALT/Acceleration Factors: Rob Sorensen, Sandia (1.7 KB)
- Facilitated Discussion – Codes and Standards: Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International
- Technology Advances to Improve Reliability: Diganta Das, CALCE University of Maryland (1.3 MB)
- Facilitated Discussion – Technology Advances: Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International
- Facilitated Discussion – Wrap-up : Led by Bryan Pai, SRA International
- Action Items- DOE/Sandia/Attendees/Industry
- Tour of Sandia’s Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory
The 4th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources, December 6-10, 2010
The 4th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resourses
December 6-10, 2010, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sandia and EPRI hosted the 4th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources December 6-10, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. This prestigious event was jointly organized by the Electric Power Research Institute, Sandia National Laboratories and Natural Resources Canada. Sandia led the Scientific Committee, responsible for arranging the conference agenda.
This bi-annual international conference brought together North American, Asian, and European leading researchers and practitioners in the fields of renewable energy (RE) and distributed energy resources (DER) integration. Discussions focused on technical, market, and regulatory issues that challenge the integration of distributed and renewable energy resources into the electric grid.
Conference presentations, posters, and workshop materials are available electronically:
To obtain Adobe Reader, click here.
PV Performance Modeling Workshop, September 22-23, 2010
PV Performance Modeling Workshop
September 22 and 23, 2010, Albuquerque, NM
Sandia National Laboratories hosted a workshop to discuss photovoltaic (PV) performance models. Research has demonstrated that models are not consistent in performance projections, especially for technologies other than crystalline silicon, and that there is a general lack of public data comparing modeled to measured performance. This has a direct effect on the PV market, where those involved in purchasing or financing PV systems face uncertainty regarding expected performance and may make decisions based on inaccurate results.
Specific objectives of the workshop were to review the current state-of-the-art in PV performance modeling, perform a comparison of PV performance models, including comparison to measured data, and discuss next steps to improve model accuracy and appropriate application. Participants included PV manufacturers, integrators, independent engineers, modelers, researchers, consultants, and analysts, as well as representatives from universities, government, and national laboratories.
The workshop was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Presentations and the agenda from the workshop are available as Adobe PDFs below. To obtain Adobe Reader, click here.
Wednesday, September 22
- Chris Cameron (2010). Welcome and Purpose. , ( 236.47 kB)
- Tarn Yates; Bradley Hibberd (2010). A Review of System Performance Models. , ( 1.92 MB)
- Ben Bourne (2010). Needs and Issues in System Performance Modeling - Manufacturer/Integrator. , ( 1.87 MB)
- Adrianne Kimber (2010). Needs and Issues in System Performance Modeling - Manufacturer/Integrator. , ( 582.78 kB)
- Steve Ransome (2010). Recent Studies of PV Performance Models. , ( 1.69 MB)
- Josh Stein (2010). A Proposed Apporach to PV Performance Model Validation. , ( 736.78 kB)
- Josh Stein (2010). Results of a Model Inter-Comparison - Predicted vs. Measured System Performance . , ( 515.42 kB)
- Paul DeKleermaeker (2010). Overview of PV*SOL and Plans for the U.S. Market. , ( 3.5 MB)
- Andre Mermoud (2010). An Overview of Module Model in PVsyst. , ( 985.45 kB)
- Bill Beckman (2010). Improvements to the CEC/Wisconsin n-Parameter Model. , ( 454.04 kB)
- Bill Marion (2010). Overview of the Module Model in PVWatts. , ( 2.55 MB)
- David King (September 22, 2010). Overview and Background on the Sandia PV Array Performance Model. , ( 1.81 MB)
- Matt Muller (2010). Modeling and Measuring Normal Cell Operating Temperature. , ( 547.91 kB)
- Ty Neises (2010). Modeling Module Temperature in the System Environment. , ( 434.42 kB)
- Josh Stein (September 22, 2010). Understanding Modeling Errors for Module Models Using Residual Analysis and Application to the Results from Model Inter-Comparison . , ( 467.47 kB)
- Facilitated Discussion of Results:
- What must be done to improve module performance modeling?
- Prioritization of future efforts, roles, and responsibilities
Thursday, September 23
IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference 35, June 21-25, 2010
IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference 35
Sandia researchers recently participated in the 35th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference hosted by IEEE in Honolulu, Hawai’i. This annual conference provides an opportunity for PV experts to discuss pioneering research on all aspects of materials, devices, systems, and applications relevant to PV. Technical topics discussed at PVSC 35 included novel materials and devices, thin-film cells made from CIGS and CdTe and emerging semiconductors, crystalline and amorphous silicon, III-V cells, concentrator devices and systems, and module and system experience including reliability studies.
Papers
- Christopher P. Cameron, Alan C. Goodrich (). The Levelized Cost of Energy for Distributed PV: A Parametric Study. , ( 98.44 kB)
- Elmer Collins, Jeff Mahn, Michael Mundt, Jennifer Granata, Michael Quintana (2011
). FIELD DATA COLLECTION FOR QUANTIFICATION OF RELIABILITY AND AVAILABILITY FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS. , ( 349.49 kB)
- Sigifredo Gonzalez, Scott Kuszmaul, Don Deuel, Roberto Lucca (2011). PV Array Simulator Development and Validation. , ( 170.12 kB)
- Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, William C. Sweatt, Jose L. Cruz-Campa, Vipin Gupta (2011). OPTIMAL CELL CONNECTIONS FOR IMPROVED SHADING, RELIABILITY, AND SPECTRAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROSYSTEM ENABLED PHOTOVOLTAIC (MEPV) MODULES. , ( 300.67 kB)
- Cruz-Campa, J. L., Nielson, G. N., Okandan, M., Wanlass, M. W., Sanchez, C. A., Resnick. P. J., Clews, P. J., Pluym, T., Gupta, V. P. (2011). BACK-CONTACTED AND SMALL FORM FACTOR GaAs SOLAR CELL. , ( 555.7 kB)
- Cruz-Campa, J. L., Zubia, D., Okandan, M, Resnick. P. J., Grubbsw, R. K., Clews, P1; Pluymy, T, Young, R.W., Gupta, V. P., Nielson, G. N. (2011). THIN AND SMALL FORM FACTOR CELLS: SIMULATED BEHAVIOR. , ( 555.7 kB)
- Larry Pratt, David L. King (2010). THE EFFECT OF UNCERTAINTY IN MODELING COEFFICIENTS USED TO PREDICT ENERGY PRODUCTION USING THE SANDIA ARRAY PERFORMANCE MODEL. , 2010-4018 ( 512.68 kB)
- Joshua S. Stein, Christopher P. Cameron, Ben Bourne, Adrianne Kimber, Jean Posbic, and Terry Jester (2010). Presented at 35th IEEE PVSC, Honolulu, HI June 25, 2010 1 A STANDARDIZED APPROACH TO PV SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MODEL VALIDATION. , ( 225.08 kB)
Posters
- Stephen F. Dwyer, Marissa Reno (). Solar Permitting and Structural Engineering Considerations: Streamlining & Standardizing the Process for Routine Rooftop Installations. , ( 4.26 MB)
- Sigifredo Gonzalez, Scott Kuszmaul, Don Deuel, Roberto Lucca, (2011). PV Array Simulator Development and Validation. , ( 2.69 MB)
- Thomas D. Hund, Sigifredo Gonzales, Keith Barrett (2011). Grid Tied PV System Energy Smoothing. , ( 2.51 MB)
- Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, William C. Sweatt, Jose L. Cruz-Campa, Vipin Gupta (2011). Optimal Cell Connections for Improving Shading, Reliability, and Spectral Performance of Microsystem Enabled (MEPV) Modules. , ( 5.37 MB)
- Melissa A. Yaklin, Duane A. Schneider, Kirsten Norman, Jennifer E. Granata, Chad L. Staiger (2011). Impacts of Humidity and Temperature on the performance of Transparent Conducting Zinc Oxide. , ( 2.52 MB)
Presentations
IEEE PVSC 35 Lana’i La Ola Addendum, June 2010
IEEE PVSC Lana’i La Ola Addendum
June 25-26th, 2010
La Ola is a single-site 1.2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm located on the island of Lana’i, Hawaii. The site is a pioneering high-penetration grid-tied PV and includes use of cutting-edge smart grid communications and controls that are being evaluated by Sandia researchers. The site will include a wind farm once complete. An opportunity to tour La Ola was offered as an addendum event at IEEE’s Photovoltaic Specialists Conference in 2010 and included summary presentations (available below) detailing the site’s technical accomplishments, daily operation, and future plans.
La Ola is part of the “Lana’i 100% Renewables” project of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership of the state of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Presentations
- Harry Saunders, Chris Lovvorn (2010). Leading the Way to a Greener Hawai‘i: Castle & Cooke. , ( 16.56 MB)
- Ben Kroposki, Jamie Keller (2010). Integrating Distributed Generation on Lanai. , ( 2.9 MB)
- Ward Bower (2010). SEGIC-Proactive Intelligent Advances for PV-Sandia. , ( 1.31 MB)
- Elmer Collins, Jeff Mahn, Michael Mundt, Jennifer Granata, Michael Quintana (2011
). FIELD DATA COLLECTION FOR QUANTIFICATION OF RELIABILITY AND AVAILABILITY FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS. , ( 349.49 kB)
- Rod Hinman, Milan Ilic (2010). Smart Inverters for Grid Interconnections: Rod Hinman [Aurora Research, LLC] and Milan Ilic [Satcon]. , ( 2.08 MB)
- Abbas Akhil (2010). Island Energy Storage. , ( 1.12 MB)
- SunPower (2010). Methods of Integrating a High Penetration Photovoltaic Power Plant into a Micro Grid: SunPower. , ( 1.27 MB)
PV System Integrators Workshop, March 2010
PV System Integrators Workshop
March 31 and April 1, 2010, San Jose, CA
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Sandia National Laboratories hosted a workshop specifically for PV system integrators in 2010. The goal was to discuss ways to mitigate risk and improve appeal of solar energy by quantifying the connection between long-term reliability and operations and maintenance costs, service contracts, warranties, call-backs, and other integrator functions.
During the workshop, integrators from a variety of companies utilized their expertise and experience in interactive case studies and exercises. The results of the workshop will help DOE and national laboratory staff foster development of performance and system lifetime models aimed specifically at integrator needs. Based on participant feedback, discussions and models created following the workshop may address factors such as financing, PPAs, site assessment, education, component testing and monitoring, system design, and California’s 10-year warranty requirement.
This workshop was funded by DOE in support of its goal to achieve a competitive Levelized Cost of Energy for PV systems.
To obtain Abode Reader, click here.
Meeting Topics
Solar Power International Conference, September 10-13, 2012
Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System
Friday, Sept 14, 2012, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse ‐ Room 306A
This week at the Solar Power International Conference, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Electric Power Research Instisute (EPRI), Sandia National Laboratories, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have joined forces in a workshop that will focus on PV systems operating in the utility system, and it will review operational issues, update interconnection rules and regulatory actions, address PV lessons learned from high penetration scenarios, identify best practices for distributed generation problem mitigation, discuss technology advancements including advanced inverters, consider forecasting tools for grid operators, and review case studies of industry experience. The workshop will address areas of common interest and is designed for PV developers, system integrators, utility distribution and interconnection engineers, inverter manufacturers, forecast providers, and those who work in codes, standards and regulation.
Presentations
- Roger Hill (2012). Achieving High Penetrations of PV: Streamlining Interconnection and Managing Variability in a Utility Distribution System. , 2012-9801 ( 612.35 kB)
- D. L. Bassett (2012). Update of the Status of IEEE 1547.8, Expanding on IEEE Standard 1547. , ( 1.1 MB)
- Robert Broderick (2012). Managing High PV Deployment on the EPS: Overview of Key Challenges and Mitigation Options.. , ( 1.15 MB)
- Michael Coddington (2012). Updating Interconnection Screens for PV System Integration. , ( 979.25 kB)
- Carl Lenox (2012). 2.5 GW solar PV deployed
• More than 200 patents
• 6,000+ employees
• Diversified portfolio: roofs to power plants Strategic
investment by Total: #11, F500 ,(Downloaded 49 times)">DG Integration. , ( 2.43 MB)
- Rick Meeker (2012). Understanding and Addressing High-penetration PV Issues Through Analysis of PV Integration in Florida Utility Circuits. , ( 1.1 MB)
- Aminul Huque (2012). Looking Ahead - EPRI R&D - Advanced Technologies to Manage and Integrate Distributed PV. , ( 3.08 MB)
- Kevin Fox (2012). Achieving High Penetrations of PV. , ( 1.12 MB)
- Kristen Nicole (2012). CPUC/CSI Initiative Research, Demo, and Deployment Program, Grant Solicitation #3. , ( 1.65 MB)
- Ken Schuyler (2012). PJM Renewable Integration Challenges. , ( 1.58 MB)
- Jeff Smith (2012). Case Study Examples Illustrating Modeling of PV for Distribution Planning and Analysis. , ( 1.49 MB)
- Jason Bank (2012). Real-Time Distribution Level Metering and Visualization for High Pen PV Circuits. , ( 1.52 MB)
5th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources
Sandia participates in the 5th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources
The 5th edition of the Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources (IRED) conference took place in Berlin, Germany, on December 3-7. This conference provided a unique forum for an interdisciplinary and international discussion on the policy, regulatory/market issues, and technical aspects of integrating solar, as well as other renewable and distributed resources, onto the grid. Sandia National Laboratories co-chaired the conference, and organized several workshops on PV grid integration and smart grid. View Conference proceedings here. Proceedings for the previous edition of the conference can be accessed here.
2013 PV Systems Symposium
Sandia and EPRI are planning to host a technical symposium in the Spring of 2013 (Dates and Location to be announced soon).
Planned Symposium Events
- PV Operations and Maintenance Workshop
- PV Inverter Reliability Workshop
- PV Performance Modeling Workshop
Once the dates and locations for these events are finalized, we will post details here about how to participate in these exciting events.