PSERC

Technology Transformation: Power System Challenges

Dennis RayExecutive Director

Power Systems Engineering Research Center

Woodrow Wilson Energy ForumMarch 8, 2007

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PSERCKey Points

• Innovation is happening with PCS (pretty cool stuff).

• Challenges facing the industry will require continual innovation.

• People are going to be needed • to work on innovations• to make innovations work

• Policies interact with technology innovation decisions – sometime positively, sometimes not.

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PSERCSynchronized System-Wide Sensing

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PSERCNew Uses of Synchronized Data

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PSERCVegetation Management through

Intelligent System Monitoring

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PSERCMore Efficient Restoration Plans

Generation Transmission Distribution

Obtain a coordinated restoration

plan

ConstraintsMeasurements

Operator experience

Objectives

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PSERCIntegration of Plug-In Hybrids

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PSERCMicrogrid Enhanced Distribution

Advanced distribution is used to provide local reliability and flexibility, robustness of T&D and promote the use of demand response, CHP and renewable intermittent resources.

Demand Response

DistributionSubstation

Customers

Transmission

Microgrid

Distribution

Robust generation & transmission

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PSERCRole of Policy-Making

in Technology Innovation• Are regulators really bystanders?• What about the clash of good intentions?

• Keep costs low objectives and legal requirements for allowing only prudently occurred costs

• Flexibility to take technology risks and support research

• What about state/regional planning?• Forecasts of generation, loads, resources,

transmission, etc. to determine investment needs.

• Where does a technology vision fit in?

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PSERCConclusions

• Collaboration among industry, govern-ment, and universities is needed to educate the next generation of power engineers.

• Regulators should consider how their everyday decisions influence industry decisions to take technology risks.

• Industry and policy-makers should have more conversations about technology vision alternatives, and the influence of policy on those alternatives.