"SOLAR AND WIND STRATEGIES, PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS"

 HOT TOPIC HOUR

September 12, 2013

DR. KALEJS – AMERICAN CAPITAL ENERGY

BIO: Dr. Kalejs is a Founder and Chief Technology Officer at the utility-scale PV systems integrator, American Capital Energy, established in 2005. A 35-year veteran of the PV industry, during his career he has held positions ranging from R&D to management for leading domestic and international PV companies. He has participated as a member of national and international PV conference organizing committees. He holds an M.SC in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and Ph.D. degree in Physics from Brown University.

ABSTRACT: Utility-Scale PV: Next Generation Plant Control Technology

Utility-scale Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants are in an early phase of design, development and deployment. Design aspects of PV plants can be constrained by existing utility technology, both at the transmission and distributed energy supply levels, when using conventional plant control SCADA supervision, software, switchgear and transformers. I will look at a future option for PV plant control based on real-time Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) technology. Real time control will prove to be useful as the degree of renewable energy penetration of the grid increases, and make PV more adaptable as well as adding value in integration in high penetration distributed energy grid scenarios.

PETER JOHNSTON – BURNS & McDONNELL

BIO: Dr. Peter Johnston is a Project Manager focusing on Clean Energy Technologies in the Business and Technology Services Group of Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company. Prior to joining Burns & McDonnell, Peter spent 14 years with Arizona Public Service (APS), the largest electric utility in Arizona, heading up their Technology Development group.  In this role Peter had responsibility for APS’ Solar and Renewable Energy Technology Development and Deployment programs and the Future Fuel Technology Development program.

ABSTRACT:  Solar Strategies, Projects and Technology Developments

The author takes a brief look at the current state of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies and what technical developments might be pursued in order to make them more productive. Some different applications for solar are reviewed and policies that could make the deployment of solar projects easier and faster are discussed.