Solar Energy Research and Development at Brookhaven National … · 2011-11-16 · Smart Grid Development in the Northeast • Evaluation/validation of advanced approaches to simulation

Solar Energy Research and Development at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Patrick LooneyChairman, Sustainable Energy Technology

2011 Advanced Energy ConferenceOctober 12, 2011

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BNL’s research agenda for the electric grid focuses on developing applied research capabilities in key are as

� Smart Grid Development in the Northeast• Evaluation/validation of advanced approaches to simulation of distribution

networks and systems (e.g. graph trace analysis using iterators)• Using large data sets to inform decisions on grid operation, validate/improve

simulation• Evaluation of new grid technologies and control strategies for improved

efficiency and reliability• Implementation of automated demand response, particularly in high density

urban applications • Improving grid security and resilience• The role of micro-grids and how to manage them

� Integration of Renewable Energy Generation on the Grid• Characterization of renewable generation in terms of variability, reliability and

capacity credit• Impact of renewables on the grid in terms of controllability, reliability and

power quality (e.g., solar, wind) • The role of storage and how it might mitigate the impacts of renewables• Implementation of advanced inverter control schemes to improve grid control

(e.g., DVAR, Voltage regulation)

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BNL has several ongoing initiatives that GARS will leverage as part of this research initiative

NSERCLISF

AEGIS*

Energy Storage Hub

BNL Sustainability

Program

Smart-Grid Demo

Grid Research

* GARS is lead

Long Island Solar Farm, LLC

� 32 MWac grid-connected solar photovoltaic plant being built at BNL

• Owned by Long Island Solar Farm, LLC (company partially owned by BP Solar)

• Purpose is to sell power to LIPA under a PPA• Commercial operation expected Nov. 1, 2011

� GARS will evaluate data from LISF to investigate the impacts of utility-scale renewable energy generation on the grid

LISF Solar Energy Research

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The BNL Northeast Solar Energy Research Center will include a dedicated research array that will be connected to the BNL distribution system

� Solar PV Array Size• 700kw to 1MW• Connected to BNL electrical distribution

system

� Research Enabled• Data to validate electrical system models

with integrated renewables• Role of innovative inverter controls (DVAR,

voltage regulation)

NSERC Solar Energy Research Facility

The installation of smart sensors in the BNL distri bution system enables using the site as a microgrid test a rea

• BNL has a 50 MW base load

representative of a typical

industrial complex; 13.8 kV

primary distribution

• An active collaboration is in

place for placing a network of

new generation grid sensors in

the BNL distribution system

• NSERC includes renewable

generation on the BNL grid.

• Beyond solar, there may be

options for wind and CHP

installations as well.

Smart Micro-Grid Demonstration Project

A key motivation for pursuing solar energy research at BNL is the construction of a solar plant on site …

� 32 MWac grid-connected solar photovoltaic plant being built at BNL

• Owned by Long Island Solar Farm, LLC (company partially owned by BP Solar)

• Purpose is to sell power to LIPA under a PPA• Commercial operation expected Nov. 1, 2011

� Located on 195 acres on BNL campus under an easement from DOE

• Consideration (in-kind funds) provided to DOE• BNL can instrument and collect data from the

array for research purposes

� BNL has developed a research agenda to leverage this unique opportunity

North Array Field

South Array FieldLIPA Substation

The solar plant includes two array fields located o n the BNL campus in close proximity to the LIPA substatio n

Aerial view of the LISF plant as of May 11, 2011Aerial view of the LISF plant as of June 30, 2011

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Our research agenda focuses on issues that will fos ter the deployment of utility-scale solar PV systems� Solar Variability

• Characterize solar variability for plants in the northeast• Forecasting the solar resource – Min/Hours/Day ahead

- Leverage BNL core capability in cloud physics- Leverage access to NOAA facility on site

• Predicting solar plant power output- Tie forecasting models to electrical models- Capacity credit for solar PV plants

� Grid Integration• Impact of solar variability on grid management

- Different penetration levels• Impact of distributed generation on the grid

- Grid control, power quality, reliability• The role of storage• The role of advanced solar technologies

- Inverters with DVAR, voltage regulation

� Environmental Impacts• Impact of utility-scale solar PV plants on local

environment and ecology:- In what ways? - how can adverse impacts be

minimized?

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BNL has made significant investments to provide research instruments for the array

• Solar Resource Data• Field-based pyranometers: 32 pairs to measure direct

and diffuse irradiance across the entire array• Baseline irradiance: precision measurement of irradiance

at base station to quantify uncertainties in field data• Solar tracking measurements• Rotating shadowband radiometer

• Meteorological Data• Temperature (air and panel)• Relative Humidity• Barometric Pressure• Wind speed and direction• Rain gauge

� Total Sky Imagers – Clouds� Electrical Performance Data

• Power quality monitors at all inverters, collection substation, and LIPA feeders to BNL

• DC current and voltage at all strings

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BNL’s solar energy research agenda will require LIS F plant data plus other capabilities…

Challenge Issue LISFData

OtherCapabilities

Variability and Non-Dispatchability

Reliable Data Sets X

Impacts of Weather X X

Managing Non-Dispatchability X

Forecasting Models X X

Grid Integration Impact of Penetration Levels X X

Advanced Grid Communication/Control X

Load Flow and Fault Currents X

Deployment of New Technologies X

Environmental and Ecological

Impacts to Local Vegetation/Animals X

Impacts to Regional/Global Climate X

Life-Cycle Assessments X

Recycling Options X X

System PerformanceIn Northeast

Compare Different Technologies X

Performance Degradation X

O&M Processes X X

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BNL is developing a separate solar research facilit y: Northeast Solar Energy Research Center (NSERC)

� NSERC Research will supplement research capabilities offered by the LISF and enable research in various other areas of interest to the solar industry• Dedicated research array for field

testing • Laboratory space for standardized

testing• Technology development test bed• Testing in Northeast conditions

� Solar PV Array Size• 700kw to 1MW• Connected to BNL electrical distribution

system (13.8 kV)• Crystalline Silicon PV modules• Open racks for comparison tests of

other PV technologies� Configuration

• Re-configurable to simulate different operating scenarios

• e.g. Multiple, small (100kw) arrays, one block,

• Fixed tilt with capability for Trackers� BOP Equipment

• Capability for running macro and micro inverters

• Capability to include storage

� Research instrumentation• Similar to LISF (meteorological, solar

resource, power quality)• High Sample Rates – 1 sec data

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Preliminary Research Agenda for the NSERC

� Smart Grid Integration Studies• Research on strategies that improve communication and control• Techniques for integrating large numbers of systems into utility grids

� Energy Storage Research• Value propositions for integrated grid-level storage• Evaluation of storage and control alternatives• Reduce intermittency, resource extension• Frequency regulation capability

� Field Testing for Deployment of New Technologies• Evaluation and testing of new design concepts, such as inverters with

capability for voltage regulation and VAR control• Comparison of performance for components and systems using different

technologies

� Reliability and Degradation Studies• Long-term reliability and degradation studies under Northeast conditions• Standardized test conditions to evaluate component degradation• Post mortem testing and failure analyses

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NSERC would include laboratories to support solar energy research projects…

� Solar Energy Research• Standardized testing of solar system

components• Solar Resource Simulators • Load simulators• Environmental chambers• Failure Analyses

� National PV Environmental Research Center • Environmental, health and safety

aspects of photovoltaic systems• Life-cycle analyses

� Meteorological Services program• On site Met services

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Collaborations and Partnerships are welcome!

For more information: Patrick LooneyChairmanSustainable Energy [email protected]