Fall Quarter: Introduction to Distributed Energy Resources in the Electric Grid

About the Course:

The Nation’s electric energy generation sources are rapidly transitioning from large central generation plants that burn fossil fuels to distributed generation systems (often located on rooftops) that use renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic. Important standards and regulation, like IEEE 1547-2018 at the federal level or California Rule 21 or Hawaii Rule 14H at the state level, are driving development agenda.

This course is an introduction to Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in the electrical grid and the standards that inform DER deployment. The course requires no prior knowledge of the topic and is intended for students who are interested in exploring technical (e.g. engineering, chemistry, software), professional (e.g. architecture, marketing, finance), and operational (e.g. accounting, logistics) careers in the rapidly growing distributed energy industry. Students will acquire a foundation in the basic electrical concepts that are needed to understand the more detailed considerations associated with DER in the grid. The course will also provide detailed insights into topics concerning DER interconnection standards and regulations, DER networking standards like IEEE 2030.5, and cybersecurity. Key DER technologies such as solar, wind, energy storage, and electric vehicles are also covered in more depth.

Course Highlights:

• Energy and electricity overview – usage, trends, generation, usage concepts, electricity fundamentals
• Electrical grids – overview, large electrical grids, smaller electrical grids, microgrids, business models and trends
• Distributed energy resources – overview, grid interconnection
• IEEE 1547 – functionality, role in DER development and grid regulations
• Photovoltaic (Solar) generation – technology overview and effects on grid
• Wind generation – technology overview and effects on grid
• Energy storage – technology overview and effects on grid
• Electric vehicles – technology overview and effects on grid
• DER networking and nommunications – DER communication overview, IEEE 2030.5, SunSpec Modbus, IEEE 1815 (DNP3), IEC 61850-7-420
• Grid security – overview with an emphasis on security associated with communications network used to interface with DER