Power Systems Design and Studies
NREL develops new tools, algorithms, and methods for designing and studying the electric power system at all scales. This includes market design and performance evaluations; and planning, operations, and protection studies.
Current design and planning tools for the electric grid cannot handle uncertainty, rely on simplifying the underlying physics of power systems, and are typically run on desktop personal computers or small servers. NREL is tackling this challenge by leveraging the lab's high-performance computing capabilities to accommodate the increasing complexity of the grid.
Capabilities
- Transmission and distribution integration studies
- Frequency response of power systems with large amounts of renewables
- Distribution integration tools
- Techno-economic planning tool for distribution systems
- Transmission integration study tools
- Power market designs
Featured Studies
Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study
The largest-ever simulation of the electric grid using the power of high-performance computing.
Western Wind and Solar Integration Study
Exploring whether we can integrate large amounts of wind and solar into the U.S. western electric grid.
Hawaii Solar and Wind Integration Studies
Studying the effects of high penetrations of renewables on Hawaiian island grids.
Contact
Bri-Mathias Hodge
GROUP MANAGER
bri.mathias.hodge@nrel.gov303-384-6981