Clemson researchers are using renewable energy and smart grid technology to find the answer at its Charleston facility
Researchers at Clemson University are playing a significant role in updating the nation’s power grid while working with industry leaders to revolutionize the generation and distribution of electricity.
The university is currently developing several initiatives, including the testing and evaluation of next-generation large wind turbines, at the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) in Charleston, said Randy Collins, professor of electrical and computer engineering.
The test facility will be the largest in the world and enable the industry to hasten technological advancements for large wind turbines, he said. In addition, the electric grid simulator at CURI – also the largest facility of its type in the world – will support testing of renewable energy converters.
The current electrical grid has seen few changes over the past century due to a scarcity of alternatives and the massive investments required. But scholars are working closely with the industry on projects and technologies that are modernizing the electrical grid.
The U.S. electrical grid is sometimes referred to as the world’s most complex machine, Collins said. Making changes to this infrastructure would be incredibly expensive and alter the very nature of the way the energy is controlled, he said. “Until recently, there were not any economically viable alternatives.”
Enter the smart grid
Updating the grid could revolutionize how energy is controlled, stored, transmitted, distributed and utilized – which is where smart grid technologies could provide an answer.
“Smart grid” is the term experts use for a class of technology designed to bring utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st century using computer-based remote control and automation. The systems are made possible through two-way communication technology and computer processing that have been used for decades in other industries, according to the US Department of Energy.
The smart grid enables devices connected to the grid to communicate with each other while allowing the energy flow to be controlled in ways that were previously not attainable, Collins said.
As a result, the existing network of wires and transformers can be used more efficiently, flexibly and with greater reliability, he said. The smart grid will enable a utility to know more about its system, what’s connected to it, how much energy it’s consuming, and what the operating parameters are in terms of voltage, current, frequency, power, etc.
Collins said the innovation would provide better reliability, efficiency and quality of power. Consumers will gain from pricing structures to schedule electrical energy when it is cheaper, he said.
Necessity drives advances
In addition to upgrading the existing infrastructure, advances in technology remain crucial to renewable energy as the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions become more problematic and expensive.
Collins said new hydro is unlikely and new nuclear is extremely expensive and slow to construct.
“The only alternative is wind and solar,” which can quickly add power generation close to the point of the energy’s utilization, he said.
Without investments in renewable sources of energy, Collins said energy costs could significantly increase for consumers as utilities struggle to comply with carbon emission limits, increasing fuel costs and investment in nuclear.
In the worst case, consumers could see blackouts and poor quality of power, he said. Alternative forms of power, such as wind and solar, provide emission-free sources with the potential of being located near the load.
Collins said the adoption of renewable technologies would enable companies to utilize research and development. Government investment is also critical for advancing the technology, he said.
LED lighting was once high-priced but became much less expensive as more companies began adopting the technology, Collins said. LEDs are relatively environmentally friendly and have many advantages such as instant-on and low energy consumption – but without the government outlawing 100-watt and 60-watt standard incandescent light bulbs, the market might not have developed, he said.
“The more utilization we have of the technology, the faster the advances will occur,” he said.
In collaboration with Clemson University, the South Carolina Energy & Gas Company (SCE&G) is developing renewable energy resources that will contribute to the Palmetto State’s sustainable energy future, said Bill Turner, vice president of electric operations.
For many years, SCE&G and Clemson have worked together to analyze the impact of distributed generation on the state’s electrical system, he said. “We look forward to the developments that will now result from the increased collaborative research efforts.”
