Solar Critical Infrastructure Energization (SOLACE) System

Brian K. Seal, Arindam Maitra EPRI

• As quantities of DER increase, it is increasingly reasonable for people to ask how it can better be utilized during times of crisis

• Where a traditional “microgrid” may focus on how particular customers /facilities can function without the grid, the SOLACE project focuses on how a more agile grid can connect renewables (where they naturally occur) to the loads society needs most

Making Better Use of Resources

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Cont

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Forming Energy Pathways

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Key Timeframes

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TSO / DSO Coordination

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Developing Five Core Components

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1. A T&D resiliency planning method that finds viable pathways in the grid which can be isolated, and through which existing solar and storage resources can sustain critical loads

2. Advanced DMS/EMS with new features to support emergencies by forming isolated grid regions, creating flexible pathways of connectivity that route solar and storage energy from where it exists to points of critical infrastructure

3. Coordinated load curtailment strategies carried out as energy pathways are constructed

4. Grid-forming inverter capability for solar PV and storage, including decentralized resilient controls with capabilities to start and regulate voltage and frequency reliably

5. Cyber-secure technology and architecture for resilient communication systems that can work in isolated regions during crisis situations

Demonstration

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Power Systems Demonstration

Grid Forming Inverter System

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Distribution Feeder

InverterStage

InverterStage

PVSGController

PVSGController

Ultra Capacitor

Unit

Ultra Capacitor

Unit

Battery Unit

Battery Unit

Ref_Vdc

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Qac

PV Panels

PV Panels

PCAP Pdc

PPV PBAT

Vdc

PVSG1

PVSGnPVSGnVar

Support Devices

Var Support Devices

Load Response

Load Response... Other

DGsOtherDGs

QREF Command from PVSG

PLoad Command from PVSG

PDG Command from PVSG

Communication XGI 1500Premium 1500V Utility Inverter

University of Texas Austin:PV Synchronous Generator Design

Yaskawa Solectria:GFM Commercialization

Out of Scope but Also of Interest

• Telecommunication systems for managing critical infrastructure need to be architected in-alignment with the power system. Need to rethink highly centralized communication and security architectures

• Selecting highest-priority facilities/needs – viewed as a human process in any real scenario

• Policies, agreements, and incentives for using DER during times of crisis

Project Team

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Thank You