Computational Renewables

Power markets require computational solutions as access to the grid is opened and competition among generators is introduced. Modeling and simulation provide a computerized representation of the behavior of the grid system. These tools are used for developing an understanding of the interaction of the parts of an electric grid and of the system as a whole, to support of deployment initiatives, working to support national interest in growing local jobs, workforce development, policy, market, and technology analysis leading to carbon reductions and local economic stability.

Operational Impacts, Interconnection and Integration Studies

Process development to measure the impact of wind, marine and solar power plant output and the additional needs that its variable and uncertain operation imposes on the overall grid. Process development to increasee the ability of utilities to predict wind plant output remains low for short-term operation in wind power plants to quantify and estimate fluctuations in wind power on plant operational and engineering costs.

Transmission Planning and Analysis

Computational process development and providing technical assistance on the screening of sites for development, for interaction with other weather-related agencies as well as private weather firms, outreach to regulators, utilities, and other decision-makers for specific regions or organizations on renewable energy resources for power generation. Computational tool development to give a forecast able to handle an extreme situation in physical and financial level.

Development of tools in the design and optimization of a diversified, balanced renewable power production portfolio and an appropriate transmission infrastructure—at any scale, computational development and critical evaluation of data assimilation methods in mesoscale models for solar and wind resource assessment and forecasting.

Development of historic, time-series solar and wind resource data and generated forecasts using state of the art mesoscale models. This includes oversight of subcontracts for mesoscale modeling and data assimilation for creation of more accurate solar and wind resource datasets as well as improved forecasting methodologies. Knowledge of various data assimilation methods and data sources and how they can be applied to improvements in solar and wind forecasting.

Development of computational tools for screening processes to exclude potential resource sites that are in environmentally sensitive areas or are otherwise prohibited from development.

Development of computational tools for site selection processes to help identify renewable energy resource zones for transmission planning or to help identify hypothetical power plant sites for use in integration studies.

Development of computational tools to engineer and project manager to lead, manage, and carry out projects involving consulting with facility and site managers to develop renewable energy projects connected to local microgrids, smart grid and distribution grids.

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