Smart Power Systems of the Future: Foundations for Understanding Volatility and Improving Operational Reliability

Abstract:

GRID 2020: The power grid in the U.S. and many regions of the world is undergoing changes because of new technologies and government mandates. It is believed that smart meters and a smarter grid will lead to more efficient use of our infrastructure. In addition, increased renewable energy integration will provide power at low cost. This optimism may be justified, but only if experts in control theory play a leading role. To achieve a renewable and sustainable energy supply we need new approaches to controlling the grid. This project has introduced revolutionary new approaches to distributed control and coordination of distributed energy resources (DERs), which includes automated demand response to provide ancillary services to help maintain grid stability.  In 2015 the work has been disseminated in invited editorial articles prepared by PI Meyn for SIAM News and The Conversation.  Surveys have appeared in a recent National Academies report, and in a Nature article – details and other publications can be found in the NSF progress report.