Workshop on Microgrid Systems & Power Electronics for Low Energy Buildings
A workshop on microgrid systems and power electronics for low energy buildings brings together renewable energy systems and their integration into electricity grids and buildings. The workshop, March 10-13, 2015, sponsored by the Mid-America Microgrid Education and Training Consortium (MARMET), the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and the IEEE Power Electronics Society Emerging Technologies Technical Committe, follows from a focused workshop held in 2014 at the Applied Power Electronics Conference.
MARMET is one of three Distributed Technology Training Consortia (DTTC) in the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, the Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment (GEARED) program. The three regional consortia, each with multiple university, utility and industry partners, are working toward harmonizing power systems analysis and R&D into training activities such as curriculum and short course development, internships and co-ops, and continuing education in power engineering. IREC is the National Network Administrator for the GEARED program.
The workshop will be held at the new Electrical and Computer Engineering Buildings (ECEB) at the University of Illinois, a facility designed to achieve LEED Platinum status and ultimately net-zero energy performance. Register
The event seeks to address engineering issues involved in implementing grid-interactive renewables, addressing questions and topics that include:
- How do microgrid configurations and operational approaches support renewable energy deployment in buildings and commercial sites?
- What are appropriate strategies for energy reduction in new building designs and retrofits?
- How can microgrids and renewable resources operate to benefit the grid, with attributes that include reactive power support, dynamic regulation, and intelligent fault management?
- What are energy storage alternatives, thermal, electrical, and others, that help mitigate randomness of renewable resources?
- What business and economic considerations drive engineering decisions in these areas?
The workshop format mixes invited presentations, submitted papers, discussion sessions, and small-group discussions. The workshop proceedings will be published. The new ECEB will also offer in-depth building tours and analysis.
Keynotes and presenters include:
- Wednesday, March 11th – Four Keynotes including one from GE Energy and Electric Power Research Institute, a Panel on Global Smart Grid Education, 22 high quality research papers, a networking opportunity over a reception with supporters and exhibitors of the conference and a tour of Clemson University’s Real-Time Power and Intelligent Systems Laboratory.
- Thursday, March 12th – Three Keynotes from the President of SERC, Director of NERC and Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Department of Energy, three Panels on the topics of Grid Restoration and Resilience, Cyber Security and Demand Response Management, 14 high quality research papers, and a networking opportunity over a Gala Banquet.
- Friday, March 13th – A Keynote from the Itron’s Director of Product Management, 16 high quality research papers, and an Industry tour to Itron’s Smart Meter Manufacturing Plant.
