pwr_april-2024 - 36

ELECTRIFICATION
Expanding Access and
Growing DER Networks
for a Smarter Future Grid
The framework for a better power grid should include distributed energy resources
as a key part of the transition.
Frank Magnotti
Current Landscape
W
hen you think of the energy system
of the future, what do you
imagine? Ideally, you'd envision
the total elimination of fossil fuels from
the energy system, renewables powering
our daily lives, and a fully decarbonized
power grid for generations to come.
Luckily, the future may not be so distant
as lofty decarbonization goals targeting
2050 are coming to fruition. The International
Energy Agency reports that by
2026, global renewable electricity capacity
is expected to rise more than 60%
from 2020 levels, which is equivalent to
the current total global power capacity of
fossil fuels and nuclear combined.
The pressure is on for current and
future clean energy tech providers and
utilities to maintain the balance of replacing
fossil fuels with electrically
powered replacements. Indeed, we all
have a role to play to fully electrify our
energy system.
Electrification is often associated with
replacing kitchen appliances or upgrading
an internal combustion engine vehicle
to an electric vehicle (EV)-but this
approach is not possible for all. It can be
out of reach for homeowners who are
hindered by the cost of clean energy
technology. Utilities also have a responsibility
to balance the grid's increased
demand caused by the rise of EVs and
other load additions. Clean energy tech
providers must develop resources that
are both accessible for widespread use
and are able to support grid capacity for
the present and future.
Progress begins in our own backyards-and
on our rooftops. An ideal
framework for the grid of the future
is one supplemented by networks of
distributed
energy
resources
infrastructure
while
(DERs),
both to provide capacity and support to
existing
enabling
accessibility for each distribution system-connected
device.
36
Electrification, in terms of its role in the
clean energy transition, aims to eliminate
fossil fuel-dependent technologies
and replace them with electrically powered
alternatives.
The overarching benefits of electrification,
namely decarbonization, improve
the health, quality of life, and safety of all
those living in fully electrified homes and
communities. Electric homes are, on average,
less expensive to build and manage,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
and are effective in reducing reliance on
the grid (Figure 1) in times of outages or
extreme weather events.
Building electrification into our existing
infrastructure, while delivering many benefits,
comes with inherent challenges.
The most common example of this is EVs:
the energy load on a home with a new EV
is increased significantly, in many cases
requiring capacity in excess of a home's
existing electrical panel. When multiplied
by several homes in a given neighborhood
increasing their load on a particular substation
or transformer, the demand on the
grid rises exponentially and thus reduces
capacity for other essential or critical applications.
Electrifying a residence with
all-new appliances and fixtures can carry
a hefty price tag, one that is not immediately
offset by the associated lowered
utility costs. At the same time, all-electric
new-builds are less expensive to manage
than mixed-fuel homes.
On the individual level, it's important
to determine priorities when deciding
where to start electrifying. For most,
beyond replacing the heat pump or gas
boiler, many will consider installing a
home solar-plus-storage system-partly
or completely relying on energy generated
by solar to power their homes.
With a solar-plus-storage system, the
battery serves as the management hub
of the home, controlling energy usage,
consumption, and discharge completely
www.powermag.com
1. This PowerPod2, a smart home battery
backup system, is installed on the exterior of
a home in California. Courtesy: Electriq Power
independent of the grid. The battery's
software gathers and analyzes historical
data and usage trends to determine
the most effective use of stored solar,
while consumer-facing software enables
homeowners to control the modes of
operation. From an energy resilience perspective,
lower bills and reliable backup
power are among the best reasons for
electrifying a home (Figure 2).
On the grid level, multiple solar-plusstorage
installations in a given location
unlock additional grid support and capacity
in the form of DERs. Depending on
whether the systems are Open Automated
Demand Response (OpenADR) compliant,
planned or anticipated changes in
grid demand can be communicated to
the systems (or the asset owner, if the
fleet is owned by an entity) to determine
the appropriate number of systems required
for adequate resource distribution.
Further, the ability to shave peak
load impacts wholesale energy prices;
POWER | April 2024
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_april-2024

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