ORNL in partnership with industry and academia, is performing research and development on distributed systems integration. The following activities are currently underway:
Development of adaptive independent control methods for local dynamic voltage regulation from DE and testing control methods in a “live” distribution system to regulate voltage to fully demonstrate the benefits and potential of the concept through the Distributed Energy Communication and Control (DECC) facility. Fact Sheet | Website
Development of tariffs for customers who provide the voltage regulation service.
Determination of engineering guidelines for setting the regulation control for reactive power producing DE to provide a streamlined application and reliable operation.
Consideration of air conditioning and other inductive load impacts on the distribution system (PDF 94KB). This includes addressing modern high efficiency air conditioners that use a small, low inertia motor. This motor has much lower starting torque and is more susceptible to stall. Stalls are being caused by low voltage transients. When stalled, an induction motor draws a high reactive current (6 to 10 times rated current). Providing dynamic reactive support at the load rather than at the feeder, substation or primary system level can be a more effective and lower cost solution.
Advancements in digital and information technologies, renewable and distributed energy technologies, and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) that will stimulate additional complexities to the electric grid. Installations of these distributed systems and other technologies can reduce congestion in areas experiencing electricity supply and delivery constraints. However, ensuring safe and reliable operations will be necessary as well as identifying additional functionality and improving asset utilization from these systems. ORNL’s innovative control concepts can apply to renewable technologies as well as PHEV charging techniques.
Development of energy-efficient residential and commercial systems to reduce load on the electric grid.
