There is an evolution in how distributed energy resources (DERs) provide power and energy. In the last decade, DERs have become the most cost-effective source of new power in many markets. DER technologies are primed to take over a larger share of grid supply infrastructure.
Distribution grids are becoming complex and managing them with traditional approaches is increasingly untenable. On the one hand, the exponential adoption of DERs such as rooftop solar, home batteries and EVs is dramatically altering power consumption (and production) patterns.
Ambitious clean energy and climate change policies are driving the adoption of clean energy, the electrification of all sectors of the economy, and an increased emphasis on delivering benefits through the energy system for underserved communities.
Grid operation is becoming more complex and challenging due to the electrification of heating and transportation loads, deployment of intermittent renewable generation, and the occurrence of extreme weather events. Distributed energy resources (DERs) can offer considerable flexibility for grid operation but also presents a key challenge.
The energy systems at UW’s Seattle campus are in need of renewal, and that renewal is taking the form of a major transformation of how the UW heats, cools, and provides electricity to its buildings.
Snohomish County PUD – the electric utility for Snohomish County and Camano Island – recently created a new department which will focus on clean energy technologies to help prepare for the future. The new department is called Energy Storage and Emerging Technologies and is just 10 months old.
IEEE Seattle successfully hosted an unforgettable Holiday Soiree at the iconic Columbia Tower Club on December 4th, 2023. The event provided a dazzling backdrop of Puget Sound lights from the 75th floor of the tallest building, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration.
On the evening of November 15, 2023, IEEE PES Seattle organized an event titled “Preparing the Power Grid for Extreme Weather Events: Resilience Modeling and Optimization.” Held in-person and virtual, the event aimed to address the growing concerns surrounding the impact of extreme weather events on power delivery infrastructure and discuss strategies to enhance the resilience of the power grid. The speaker was Dr. Anamika Dubey of Washington State University.
Extreme weather events threaten the power delivery infrastructure causing an extended disruption of electricity supply to the critical services. Most impacts are observed at the mid and low voltage distribution systems due to inadequate incorporation of resilience at the distribution level. Fortunately, recent advances in the distribution grid, including the integration of distributed generation and distribution automation capabilities, provide potential means to improve system resilience if applied in a purposeful and methodical manner. The changing nature of the grid and extreme weather events motivate new mechanisms to manage grid operations by leveraging smart grid technologies. This talk will introduce the approach to model and quantify the impacts of extreme weather events on the power grid and discuss planning and operational solutions to improve the power systems resilience.
The weather was great, over 80F. Attendance for the tour was 37. The Spark Museum CEO, John Jenkins led our group to various sections of the Museum. Mr. Jenkins had himself procured many of the one of kind artifacts and gave us the history of the pieces and how they were obtained.
