SmartGrid

This talk introduces a generalized framework for valuating batteries based on their degradation mechanism and market signals. The proposed framework follows a dynamic programming approach, and novel solution algorithms are designed to accurately model years of battery degradation accumulation, while simulating high granularity optimal control for batteries over time resolutions of minutes or even seconds, including the capability to model stochastic operations. Results from this research will provide pricing and operation references for new and used batteries in grid-interactive applications, and demonstrate how batteries of different degradation mechanisms should be priced differently.

Transforming the grid to a Smart Grid requires real time sensing, of energy producers, consumers, stored capacity in batteries, weather conditions, and more, essential to develop usage models, and anticipate need. Along with the ability to take 'action' such as bringing online cleaner sources of power and curbing demand we can help smooth load peaks. In this talk we introduce the open source project EdgeX Foundry and its viability to deliver a secure, extensible, endpoint to collect real time data, develop models, and control devices. Data processing at the edge while reducing network bandwidth needs, reduces response latency, and helps preserve data privacy. We illustrate this in the context of VMware's on-campus electric vehicle charging facility. We conclude by sharing our longer term goals of developing and controlling hierarchical composite device models and introduce open source project Kinney.

Seminars are open to all Stanford students, faculty, staff and community. Register via the RSVP link

Current wholesale electricity market designs of day-ahead and real-time markets have inherent inefficiencies that are amplified with greater shares from intermittent renewable sources. Building in flexibility through time and geographically substitutable bids and stochastic unit commitments can yield significant gains. This talk will discuss how to model and assess these advantages and their implications for renewable generation.

Situational awareness of computer networks presents many challenges including but not limited to the volume of the data and the dynamic and evolving nature of the problem space. For example, at the perimeter of a corporate enterprise computer network, it is common to see terabytes of network traffic each day, containing millions of unique IP addresses and connection records that number in the hundreds of millions. Celeste will provide an overview and discuss recent trends facing computer security researchers and practitioners. She will describe recent work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to enable analysis of computer networks and encourage an interactive discussion to foster new ideas to address these challenges.

There has been substantial discussion of the use of microgrids as a result of the recent wildfires and Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The ability of microgrids to be considered for these applications now, is in part a result of over a decade of research funded through the California Energy Commission's R&D programs. To date the CEC has issued over $100M in grants that have funded over 30 microgrids. These microgrids support a variety of applications, with a diversity of ownership models. This presentation will provide an overview of the microgrid research being funded by the CEC and future research areas of interest.

The term "resilience" refers to the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. The value of resilience to the electricity system is in enabling the function of other interdependent infrastructure systems and maintaining critical energy-based services. Many resilience approaches are being considered. This webinar will outline some of these perspectives and provide an overview of some of the related ongoing activities within the Department of Energy.

Cyber security has become a critical priority for electric utilities, which are increasingly dependent on information technology and telecommunication infrastructure to ensure the reliability and security of the electric grid. Additionally, rapid, disruptive changes are happening in electric grids around the world. In many states and countries, initiatives are underway to integrate small, renewable generation into the distribution grid, to meet the local demand for electricity, while reducing the dependency on large, central generation facilities and long-distance transmission. This transition requires new technologies, connectivity, and intelligence, which inherently changes the attack surface of the grid and introduces new stakeholders in the delivery and use of power. This talk provides an introduction to these new cyber security issues, discusses EPRI's approach to addressing the challenges, and presents future research opportunities.

With the rapid growth in residential smart meters across the United States in recent years, most homes will soon be capable of moving to time varying prices for electricity. We discuss a methodology for studying the welfare impacts of different pricing strategies on an electricity market when homes deploy smart, price responsive appliances with forward-looking capabilities, and understanding its effects on social welfare and consumer surplus. We show conditions under which asymptotically, as the number of homes increases, social welfare-maximizing price schedules in equilibrium are linear in load. Real data are used to calibrate a smart thermostat model to compare dynamic pricing strategy against flat and peak pricing strategies when smart thermostats are deployed across ComEd's service territory of 3.5 million residential homes.

Renewable energy generation, storage and energy efficiency are being rapidly integrated into our digitized buildings, transportation system and electric grid. Exponentially expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs to commercialize new products are blossoming. This talk will highlight examples of the wide-ranging resources available to help start-up initiatives accelerate cycles of learning and bring innovations to market. Some specific resources to be reviewed include:

• Stanford's TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy Innovation Transfer
• The NSF I-Corps Program adapted from Steve Blank's Stanford Lean LaunchPad class
• The Elemental Accelerator in East Palo Alto
• Emily Kirsch's PowerHouse Incubator and PowerHouse Ventures in Oakland
• Cyclotron Road at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Industry Growth Forum and Innovation Incubator
• The Department of Energy Solar Prize
• Dorothy Jones-Davis' Nation of Makers
• The American-Made Partner Network

Ford is pursuing an aggressive electrification of their product portfolio that includes the launch of the all-electric 2021 Mustang Mach-E, all-electric F-150, and all-electric global commercial van. With 100 kWh of electrical capacity, and potentially more, on board, Ford customers will have enough energy to meet their daily driving needs. However, what if there is more than enough energy? Ford is looking closely at how battery electric vehicles can unlock additional value for customers in a world of a dynamic and intelligent electrical energy system.

This talk will briefly cover Ford's electrification strategy and the mission of Greenfield Labs, Ford's Silicon Valley outpost. It will review projects on connected charging infrastructure and hands-free charging and describe the ways that Ford researchers are envisioning smart vehicles in a smart world.