Introduction to Distributed and Renewable Electric Energy Resources Minitrack

The role of distributed and variable renewable resources as major participants in power system operations and markets has grown beyond the point of speculation in many jurisdictions. Alongside that market growth, the capabilities of distributed and renewable resources have been maturing to the point where it no longer makes sense to view these resources as constraints. Markets and policies, however, have been slower to catch up than has technology. Despite rapid progress in resource technologies and control systems, efficient integration of distributed, variable and uncertain system resources with portfolios of existing resources requires additional evolution in planning, operation and control This mini-track features papers across two sessions that address issues in system design and control for distributed resources (small-scale power generation and demand-side resources) and integration of variable renewables in market and system operations.