Improving grid reliability through integration of distributed PV and energy storage

Several emerging technologies, namely, high penetration grid-connected distributed photovoltaics (PV), energy storage, and smart grid have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Because of their interconnected nature, the deployed systems are fairly complex and logically converging, which presents both challenges and opportunities for electric grid operation and reliability. The US Department of Energy has sponsored a number of research and demonstration projects in these areas in order to achieve its long-term goals of supplying reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power to the energy consumers. This panel paper discusses various ways to mitigate the impacts of high penetration PV systems on the utility grid while also explores reliability enhancement opportunities from the integration of distributed PV and energy storage using smart grid and advanced inverter technologies.