"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Tag: The Grid
MPPT Charge Controllers
05/16/18
“What is the most efficient solar tracker?”
PWM Solar Charge Controllers are definitely a step up from On/Off Solar Controllers. However, they’re definitely not the most efficient models. MPPT Controllers (Maximum Power Point) can maximize the output by changing the current and voltage delivered while doing the best to keep power constant. Because of this, they are the most highly valued systems on the market.
Non-Spinning Reserves
05/12/18
“How can we power the grid with immobile units?”
Spinning Reserves are great for providing a quick response to grid fluctuations. But sometimes they will be completely used up, and we will need more items to keep the grid running. These often include Non-Spinning Reserves that are static and disconnected from the grid. Since they have to start moving, they will have a longer response time as a result of inertia.
Spinning Reserves
05/11/18
“What is one simple way to provide power to the grid when more energy is needed?”
When the grid is not meeting power demand, there are multiple ways to use ancillary services to solve this. One such method is to find generators that are spinning under their maximum output, and then ramping them up to meet demand. This is known as spinning reserves and is a simple way to assist the grid.
Ancillary Services (electric power)
05/10/18
“How can we manage fluctuations in the Electric Grid?”
The electric grid is bound to have fluctuations. And one of the most important duties of engineers is to keep everything running smoothly. So how can the grid be kept stable? Well, this can be managed through Ancillary Services such as voltage stabilization (ensuring that building equipment operates at their specified rating so they don’t draw too much power), frequency stabilization (making the grid operates at its standard frequency) and a continuous power supply (using technology such as batteries and backup generators to ensure the grid always has power).
Net Load
05/07/18
“How do we quantify the difference between renewable energy generated and energy demand?”
Renewable energy is now able to generate vasts sums of power in many parts of the world. However, it currently is not able to provide all of the power consumed by many parties. Because of this, renewable energy experts have called this difference to be the Net Load on the system. The Net Load tends to be lower at noon due to the availability of the sun (resulting in the infamous duck curve). California’s net load can be seen on this website.
How Microgrids are Already Helping Puerto Rico
05/03/18
“How are Microgrids already helping Puerto Rico?”
Microgrids have been theorized as something that could help Puerto Rico recover from the damage done by Hurricane Maria. But this idea has just been tested in practice. In Southeastern Puerto Rico, the centralized grid went out of power, but citizens with distributed energy infrastructure installed had their power working just fine. In fact, some even said that they did not even notice anything change! It just goes to show the power of the Puerto Rican people and renewable energy.
How Could Distributed Energy Resources Disrupt Utilities?
05/02/18
“Will big utilities face a compromised future from distributed energy resources?”
Ever since the dawn of the grid utility companies have reigned supreme. But with the advent of distributed energy resources, this all might change. Now that many individuals are achieving grid defection, they no longer have any use for a utility. If the cost of battery storage collapses and energy efficiency has a paradigm shift, this could spell massive disruption for these traditional companies. They might even have to watch out for their survival.
Solar Energy in the Southeastern United States
05/01/18
“What is the state of Solar Energy in the traditional Southern United States?”
When people think of solar energy in the United States, they typically think of traditional powerhouse states like California and Massachusetts. However, the Southeastern states, commonly referred to as “The South”has some of the most abundant solar resources in the entire nation. So while it would be logical for these states to be in the lead of the future energy paradigm, many of them are actually lagging far behind the national average, save for North Carolina. The reason? Outdated grid technology and regulatory policies keep solar from being incentivized. However, once the South can solve these problems, it will become a distributed energy behemoth to be reckoned with.
How Climate Change Will Affect Renewable Energy Adoption in the Caribbean
04/26/18
“How will the Caribbean renewable energy adopters react to climate change?”
Climate change is affecting the world everywhere, but the Caribbean might be one of the most impacted. Their scattered geography makes them reliant on oil imports for energy, only further exacerbated by their aged grid systems in drastic need of repair. Climate change threatens to destroy the livelihood of these nations with worsening rainstorms and hurricanes, as seen in Puerto Rico. Caribbean policymakers are taking proactive measures to prevent further catastrophes by installing distributed renewable energy to increase their nation’s climate resiliency.
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