Power Flow Controller for Renewables
Technology Description:
Michigan State University (MSU) is developing a power flow controller to improve the routing of electricity from renewable sources through existing power lines. The fast, innovative, and lightweight circuitry that MSU is incorporating into its controller will eliminate the need for a separate heavy and expensive transformer, as well as the construction of new transmission lines. MSU's controller is better suited to control power flows from distributed and intermittent wind and solar power systems than traditional transformer-based controllers are, so it will help to integrate more renewable energy into the grid. MSU's power flow controller can be installed anywhere in the existing grid to optimize energy transmission and help reduce transmission congestion.
Potential Impact:
If successful, MSU would help to cost effectively integrate more renewable electricity into the existing grid—improving the grid's overall efficiency and reliability.
Security:
A more efficient, reliable grid would be more resilient to potential disruptions from failure, natural disasters, or attack.
Environment:
Enabling increased use of wind and solar power would result in a substantial decrease in carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.—40% of which are produced by electricity generation.
Economy:
A more efficient and reliable grid would help protect U.S. businesses from costly power outages and brownouts that stop automated equipment, bring down factories, and crash computers.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Timothy Heidel
Project Contact:
Prof. Fang Z. Peng
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
fzpeng@egr.msu.edu
Related Projects
Release Date:
04/20/2011