Sensors to monitor transmission... U.S. grid-tied PV installations... DG to grow in Europe

Iowa State to develop transmission sensors. A research team from Iowa State University is developing wireless sensors to monitor the country's electricity transmission system. These sensors will locate breakdowns and pick up suspicious activity at power poles, enabling power companies to prevent disruptions. These weather-resistant sensors are being designed to precisely determine and predict faults and transmit data from distant locations. Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and Iowa State's Information Infrastructure Institute, the researchers are consulting power companies to explore field testing the system.

   QuickTake: As described, these sensors would contribute not just to reliability, but to grid security as well.

   Iowa State University press release

Distributed generation to grow in Europe: Frost and Sullivan predicts a jump in distributed generation in Europe from $66.7M in 2005 to $817.8M in 2012. The report lists capacity shortage and high-energy prices as the primary drivers and predicts a rise in micro-Combined Heat and Power generation systems. Government has also voiced its support for combined systems.

   QuickTake: Government may be in favor, but entrepreneurs and investors need to see viable business models before they will jump in, especially given the high risk coupled with low public awareness..

   Frost and Sullivan Distributed Generation report (PDF)

Grid-tied PV to hit 290MW per year by 2010. According to Solarbuzz, U.S. grid-connected PV grow to 290MW of installtions per year by 2010. To achieve this, the industry must overcome political and investment barriers.

   QuickTake: The report provides market share data for U.S. module suppliers, inverter suppliers, large distributors and installers, as well as a comprehensive listing of installed PV projects in 2005..

   Solarbuzz U.S. Grid Connected PV 2006 table of contents

Microgrids best for energy surety. Microgrids may be the best option for critical operations such as military bases, according to an article in the online publication Distributed Energy. It claims microgrids are now replacing generators, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and grid upgrades as the best way to ensure power. They can be configured to the desired levels of surety and can operate during longer power outages.

   QuickTake: Although the article doesn’t prove its case, it does spotlight the growing viability of the microgrid concept for campus and district applications.

   Distributed Energy Microgrid article

GE Energy to assess intermittent renewables with University of California. GE Energy has inked a deal with the University of California to perform a 16-month assessement of the impact of irregular renewable power generation on the state's power grid. GE Energy conducted similar studies on the New York State power grid in 2004 and 2005.

   QuickTake: Far too many utilities and state commissions have their heads in the sand about wind energy and its impacts on the grid. New York and California are providing needed leadership.

   GE Energy press release

Public/private wind-energy action plan. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) have developed a plan for wind energy to provide 20% of the nation’s electricity demand. The government also pledged its support for alleviating price pressure on natural gas, lessening dependency on imported fuels and accelerating the development of new energy-efficient generation from renewable sources.

   American Wind Energy Association press release

DG systems and wind interconnection. The United Kingdom’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has authored two reports: “Network Losses and Distributed Generation” and “Technologies for Integrating Wind Farms to the Grid.” The first report addresses distributed generation (DG) systems for reducing transmission and distribution losses. The second discusses technologies for integrating wind energy with the country’s existing electricity grid.

   QuickTake: The reports were released in response to the government’s resolution to generate 10% of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2010, 15% by 2015 and 20% by 2020.

   DTI DG report (PDF)

   DTI wind interconnection report (PDF)

Economics of DE for reactive power. Reactive power supply plays a critical role in maintaining grid reliability and checking voltage collapse during contingencies. Distributed energy (DE) is becoming an attractive option as a source of reactive power. Although DE costs more than the conventional static devices such as capacitors, it can provide dynamic support capabilities.

   QuickTake: According to this analysis by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, DE is two to three times more effective than generators or capacitors given its proximity to customer loads.

   Preliminary analysis of DE for reactive power (PDF)

IEA predicts energy trends through 2050. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reviewed the key trends in all energy sectors, including electricity, with the aim to counsel G-8 nations. The book Energy Technology Perspectives -- Scenarios & Strategies to 2050 addresses pressing issues such as power reliability, global warming and into the emerging technologies. It also delves intro greenhouse emissions possible strategies to secure clean, reliable energy.

   QuickTake: It is hard to put much faith in a publication that claims to know what will happen 40 years from now, but the book does provide a useful overview of major issues and approaches.  

   IEA Energy Technology Perspectives ordering information

Energy needs will jump 71% by 2030. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has predicted that the global consumption of energy will increase by 71% from 2003 to 2030. Asian countries, especially India and China, will triple their consumption. Depletion of fossil fuels will result in price increase and diversification into renewable energy sources such as hydro and nuclear power. Consumption of renewables is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.4%.

   QuickTake: Here at SGN, we think the crisis will be sooner and harsher than the EIA “experts,” who just a couple of years ago were predicting that natural gas prices would be stable for 20 years and that oil would remain under $30 a barrel.

   EIA's International Energy Outlook 2006 (PDF)

Construction begins on reliability research center. Construction has started on the  National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission at the University of Arkansas. The only center of its kind in the U.S., this 7000-square-foot, hi-tech facility will have 6.5MW power capacity for testing components rated up to 15kV. It will investigate, among other things, solid-state equipment made partially of silicon-carbide. The new equipment will improve response time and increase reliability of the grid, as well as help localize outages.

   QuickTake: The University was selected because of its research expertise in advanced power electronics and investigation of silicon-carbide's application to power technology.

   University of Arkansas press release