Microgrid Energy Management

In IEEE Standards, a Microgrid is defined as a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources with clearly defined electrical boundaries, which acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid and can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island modes. This Special Issue focuses on innovative strategies for the management of the Microgrids and, in response to the call for papers, six high-quality papers were accepted for publication. Consistent with the instructions in the call for papers and with the feedback received from the reviewers, four papers dealt with different types of supervisory energy management systems of Microgrids (i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy wavelet-based controls, cost-efficient power-sharing techniques, and two-level hierarchical energy management systems); the proposed energy management systems are of quite general purpose and aim to reduce energy usages and monetary costs. In the last two papers, the authors concentrate their research efforts on the management of specific cases, i.e., Microgrids with electric vehicle charging stations and for all-electric ships

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT

This thesis analyzes the threat of both electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. EMP/GMD events are classified as low-probability/high-impact events that have potential catastrophic consequences to all levels of government as well as the civilian population of the United States. By reviewing current literature and conducting two thought experiments, this thesis determined that various critical infrastructure sectors and modern society are at risk of the effects of EMP/GMD events. Some of the most serious consequences of a large-scale EMP/GMD event include long-term power loss to large geographic regions, loss of modern medical services, and severe communication blackouts that could make recovery from these events extremely difficult. In an attempt to counteract and mitigate the risks of EMP/GMD events, resilience engineering concepts introduced several recommendations that could be utilized by policymakers to mitigate the effects of EMP or GMD events. Some of the recommendations include utilizing hardened micro-grid systems, black start options, and various changes to government agency organizations that would provide additional resilience and recovery to American critical infrastructure systems in a post-EMP/GMD environment.Captain, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Microgrid Formation-based Service Restoration Using Deep Reinforcement Learning and Optimal Switch Placement in Distribution Networks

A power distribution network that demonstrates resilience has the ability to minimize the duration and severity of power outages, ensure uninterrupted service delivery, and enhance overall reliability. Resilience in this context refers to the network's capacity to withstand and quickly recover from disruptive events, such as equipment failures, natural disasters, or cyber attacks. By effectively mitigating the effects of such incidents, a resilient power distribution network can contribute to enhanced operational performance, customer satisfaction, and economic productivity. The implementation of microgrids as a response to power outages constitutes a viable approach for enhancing the resilience of the system. In this work, a novel method for service restoration based on dynamic microgrid formation and deep reinforcement learning is proposed. To this end, microgrid formation-based service restoration is formulated as a Markov decision process. Then, by utilizing the node cell and route model concept, every distributed generation unit equipped with the black-start capability traverses the power system, thereby restoring power to the lines and nodes it visits. The deep Q-network is employed as a means to achieve optimal policy control, which guides agents in the selection of node cells that result in maximum load pick-up while adhering to operational constraints. In the next step, a solution has been proposed for the switch placement problem in distribution networks, which results in a substantial improvement in service restoration. Accordingly, an effective algorithm, utilizing binary particle swarm optimization, is employed to optimize the placement of switches in distribution networks. The input data necessary for the proposed algorithm comprises information related to the power system topology and load point data. The fitness of the solution is assessed by minimizing the unsupplied loads and the number of switches placed in distribution networks. The proposed methods are validated using a large-scale unbalanced distribution system consisting of 404 nodes, which is operated by Saskatoon Light and Power, a local utility in Saskatoon, Canada. Additionally, a balanced IEEE 33-node test system is also utilized for validation purposes

Opportunities and Obstacles in the Transition to a Distributed Network of Rooftop Solar: A Multi-Method Approach

This paper investigates the feasibility and viability of providing power to Ada County, Idaho, using a distributed network of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. Using a multi-disciplinary and multi-method modeling approach, a detailed simulation is performed where existing structures are retro-fitted with grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems using currently available technology. Feasibility is determined using simulated supply and demand per building, while viability is determined through standard financial metrics used in the energy sector. A major critique of solar energy comes from the vast amounts of space required to efficiently capture solar power, along with the inefficiencies created by transmission loss and intermittency. Under a system where structures become both producers and consumers of energy, with PV panels deployed in unused rooftop space, this paper mitigates those critiques and analyzes the results. Four case scenarios are discussed based on the perspectives of differing energy stakeholders; consumers, private firms, public utilities, and national governments

Women in Science 2012

The summer of 2012 saw the number of students seeking summer research experiences with a faculty mentor reaching record levels. In total, 179 students participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program, involving 59 faculty mentor-advisors, representing all of the Clark Science Center’s fourteen departments and programs.https://scholarworks.smith.edu/clark_womeninscience/1011/thumbnail.jp

Interest in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Peer-To-Peer Energy Trading for Back-Up Electricity in Nigerian Residential Housing Estates

Solar energy presents a highly viable alternative for backup electricity provision in urban Nigeria, as the technology is now mature. Due to widespread electricity black-outs, petrol and diesel generators are widely used, causing local air and noise pollu-tion and contributing to climate change. However, the main clean alternative, solar, has little foothold in the Nigerian energy market. The thesis explores whether households value the “clean power” benefit of the widespread adoption of solar en-ergy for backup electricity in residential estates. It employs a mixed-method ap-proach using semi-structured interviews, a survey, and a discrete choice experiment with 649 respondents in Ibadan, a Nigerian city, to provide insights into preferences for clean and quiet solar PV backup electricity on a residential estate as well as en-ergy trading preferences. Applying quantitative and qualitative methods, the study finds that consumers are interested in dwelling in estates that only permit cleaner backup alternatives, including solar and inverters, compared with the status quo op-tion of staying in estates with petrol or diesel generators. The study also finds that consumers are interested in peer-to-peer energy trading, with differences in prefer-ences for selling and buying excess electricity from neighbours. The thesis also finds that autarky aspirations and financial benefits are key factors that influence partici-pation in energy trading. The findings demonstrate that whilst the electricity supply remains unreliable, there is an opportunity for solar PV to claim a much larger share of the backup electricity market. Furthermore, policymakers and clean energy pro-viders keen to increase the uptake of residential solar energy should highlight the clean and quiet benefits of solar energy for the residents themselves. This research also demonstrates an opportunity to develop and market clean, quiet estates that appeal to people concerned about the health impacts of generator use