We are happy to announce that our recent paper entitled: “An Enterprise Control Assessment Method for Variable Energy Resource Induced Power System Imbalances. Part 1: Methodology”, has been accepted to IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics. The paper is authored by Aramazd Muzhikyan, Prof. Amro M. Farid and Prof. Youcef Kamal-Toumi.

In recent years, the impact of variable energy resource (VER) integration on power system operations has been studied extensively. While most of the studies agree that VER integration creates a need for additional resources to maintain reliable power system operations, they often fail to give exact assessments due to their methodological limitations. First, a majority of these studies are performed for specific cases and the results obtained cannot be generalized. Moreover, most of these studies are focused on a single control function of power system operations which restricts the scope of the results to that time scale and neglects the coupling between different time scales. Furthermore, most of the results are obtained by statistical calculations, but not validated by numerical simulations. Finally, many of the calculations rely on the experience of system operators which may not necessarily remain valid as the power system continues to evolve.

This newly published paper proposes an enterprise control assessment method for VER integrated power systems. The power system operations are modeled as a three-layer hierarchy. The model integrates resource scheduling, a balancing layer and a regulation layers, which capture most of the balancing operation functionality found in traditional power systems. Such integration allows the study of the coupling between different timescales of power system operations which would be neglected otherwise.

Another important aspect of this methodology is that integration of power system operation layers also guarantees that the obtained results can be generalized for different cases. To achieve this, some modifications of the traditional power system control actions are performed. The validation of the methodology demonstrates that in the absence of these modifications the simulations lead to unreasonable results for some scenarios.

In the week of 17^th to 24^th January Masdar hosted the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2015. Delegates from all over the world gathered to develop and accelerate sustainable solutions for the increasing world population. The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) played the main role in the ADSW and provided a platform for companies and countries to exchange and show their knowledge in the area of energy. In the summit over 30,000 delegates from more than 170 countries participated.

Masdar Institute took this event as a chance to show the current state of their research and also to involve the students in the non-academic world. One of the initiatives for students during WFES was the start of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program. The YFEL program brings together local and international students and young professionals from different universities and companies to encourage their motivation to affect change for a sustainable world. Also, the multicultural nature of the program helps the students understand and respect the cultural differences.

During the WFES, multiple high profile keynote speakers were invited to present and discuss their ideas and thoughts about the future of the world with the participants in the program. The YFEL program continues during 2015 and provides more courses that improve the understanding of future challenges. The program’s approach is to tackle these problems in a holistic way. The courses not only teach in the field of engineering but also integrate essential aspects of policy, management and entrepreneurship.

The holistic approach to future challenges is one of the essential aspects of the Laboratory for Intelligent Integrated Networks of Engineering Systems (LIINES). The integration of disciplines is needed to intelligently address the interfaces between multiple energy systems. In renewable energy integration alone, electrical engineers are needed to develop the newest PV-panels exhibited at WFES, while mechanical engineers are needed to improve the efficiency of conventional power. The variable generation of renewable energy coupled with the need for demand side management brings about all sorts of new policy, economics, and operations management questions. But at the LIINES, we do not stop there.   Intelligent energy systems means not just controlling the flows of energy but understanding the essential reasons why we need it in the first place. And thus, we are actively involved in work on the energy-water nexus, transportation electrification, and industrial energy management.

This year’s WFES gave us, the LIINES laboratory, a great opportunity to interact with leading industrial players while presenting our own ideas and research. The WFES helped us realize once more that we are in this world together and that we have to bring together different disciplines to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.

For more information, consult the LIINES research program page.

LIINES Website: http://amfarid.scripts.mit.edu