|
An overview of the activities and progress made during the US DOE Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS)
solicitation, while maintaining reliability and economics is provided. The SEGIS R&D opened pathways for
interconnecting PV systems to intelligent utility grids and micro-grids of the future. In addition to new capabilities are
"value added" features. The new hardware designs resulted in smaller, less material-intensive products that are being
viewed by utilities as enabling dispatchable generation and not just unpredictable negative loads. The technical solutions
enable "advanced integrated system" concepts and "smart grid" processes to move forward in a faster and focused
manner. The advanced integrated inverters/controllers can now incorporate energy management functionality, intelligent
electrical grid support features and a multiplicity of communication technologies. Portals for energy flow and two-way
communications have been implemented. SEGIS hardware was developed for the utility grid of today, which was
designed for one-way power flow, for intermediate grid scenarios, AND for the grid of tomorrow, which will seamlessly
accommodate managed two-way power flows as required by large-scale deployment of solar and other distributed
generation. The SEGIS hardware and control developed for today meets existing standards and codes AND provides for
future connections to a "smart grid" mode that enables utility control and optimized performance.
|
