{"id":15946,"date":"2017-07-18T15:06:28","date_gmt":"2017-07-18T19:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=15946"},"modified":"2017-07-18T15:30:36","modified_gmt":"2017-07-18T19:30:36","slug":"illinois-explores-smart-inverters-potential-to-strengthen-grid-reliability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2017\/07\/18\/illinois-explores-smart-inverters-potential-to-strengthen-grid-reliability\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois explores smart inverters\u2019 potential to strengthen grid reliability"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Rebecca Goold, clean energy consultant<\/em><\/p>\n

Last week, a federal judge protected<\/a> Illinois\u2019 Future Energy Jobs Act<\/a>, which is expected to grow the state\u2019s solar capacity to over 3,000 MW<\/a> by 2030 \u2013 enough to power approximately half a million homes.<\/p>\n

The expected influx in distributed resources like solar panels prompted the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to set in motion NextGrid<\/a>, an 18-month study focused on rethinking the roles of the utility, the customer, and energy solution providers in a 21st-century electric grid.<\/p>\n

A large part of NextGrid involves advanced technologies like the smart inverter, a disruptive technology with the potential to improve grid reliability, create economic value for customers, and lower pollution.<\/p>\n

Smart inverters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of the electric power entering our homes, offices, and factories from the grid is in the form of an alternating current (AC), which allows for greater efficiency given our existing electric system design. Solar panels and batteries, in contrast, produce electricity in the form of a direct current (DC). In order to integrate these distributed energy resources into the electric system, a device called an inverter is used to convert DC to AC.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “Illinois explores smart inverters\u2019 potential to strengthen grid reliability”]<\/p>\n

To be considered \u201csmart,\u201d an inverter must have robust software and be capable of rapid, bidirectional communications. Historically, inverters operating behind distributed resources would immediately shut off during any disturbance to the electric grid. For example, when there is a sudden increase in electricity demand, the grid may have fluctuations in frequency. Previously, solar inverters would immediately shut down once the grid\u2019s frequency or voltage went outside of normal operating levels.<\/p>\n

Smart inverters, on the other hand, can support utilities\u2019 efforts to stabilize the grid during disruptive events. Through seamless communication between grid operators and the inverter, utilities can remotely control these technologies to help with issues such as voltage and frequency fluctuations \u2013 if policy and regulations allow utilities to do so.<\/p>\n

Utilities pushing forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

Smart inverters are attracting the attention of policymakers and utilities, who are pushing the limits to see how this technology can function:<\/p>\n