-- This project is inactive --

Advanced Energy (AE) will address three important needs in the further deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems: 1) demonstrating and commercializing a new anti-islanding method utilizing Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), 2) demonstrating a set of advanced grid support functionalities of power electronics, and 3) demonstrating a novel “ramp rate controller” to enable control of the downward ramp rate of a PV plant under transient cloud conditions.

The technology proposed to be developed under this opportunity directly targets improving the operational characteristics of PV inverters using systemwide awareness to impact the greater electrical utility system. Intermittency of the PV plants, system safety, and inter-operation with utility electromechanical voltage regulation equipment are all addressed and improved upon. Synchrophasors are leveraged for time synchronized system state awareness, as well as control optimization at the point of generation. Energy storage is used in an economical sense to moderate the cloud induced transients and induced voltage affects of high-penetration PV. Lastly a novel island detection technique is introduced that overcomes false nuisance trips due to real grid events (large motor starts, etc.) while reliably detecting true island events without causing power quality issues.