CSI RD&D

CSI RD&D PROGRAM - CONCLUDED 

The California Solar Initiative's RD&D Program has now concluded after operating since 2008 through 2016. All solicitations and research projects are now complete.

 

 Report 
PDF    

 Program overview + Research briefs       

  [25 MB ]
 Program overview  [13 MB ]

 Research briefs  (high resolution)                     

  [44 MB ]


For more information on the research projects and resulting reports please review the section below. All completed final reports are also available separately for review and download. 

FINAL REPORTS for completed projects along with individual research briefs can be found here.

 

CSI RD&D Program - Program Evaluation 

 

 Report 
PDF    

 Report Summary       

  [277 KB ]
 Final Report  [3 MB ]

 Appendices           

  [4 MB ]

 

Funded Projects

This is a database of projects funded by the CSI RD&D. The project summaries are listed alphabetically below. You may also choose a subset of projects by clicking a keyword, or using the search function.

Analysis to Inform California Grid Integration Rules for PV

Current Highlights:

FINAL Report: Analysis to Inform CA Grid Integration Rules for PV - September 2016 [PDF]

May 26, 2016 - Webinar recording [wmv]

Webinar slide deck [PDF]

 

Project Information

Solicitation: Solicitation 4
Target Area: Grid Integration
Awardee: Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Partners:

Sandia National Laboratories and National Renewable Energy Laboratory

With letters of support from:
Southern California Edison (SCE), Sempra Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and PJM

 

 
CSI Funding: $399,494
Match Funding: $399,494
Start Date: May 2014
End Date: May 2016
Status: Complete

Contact Information

Principal Investigator Name: Jeff Smith
Principal Investigator Email: jsmith @ epri.com
Principal Investigator Phone: 865-218-8069
Grant Manager Name: William Marin
Grant Manager Email: William.Marin @ itron.com
Grant Manager Phone: 509-891-3193

Project Summary

Working with the investor-owned utilities, the California Independent System Operator and the Smart Inverter Working Group, the EPRI team will develop guidelines for effective use of smart inverters given the hosting capacity of the California grid. EPRI will build on their current CSI Solicitation#3 research results in feeder characterization and analysis to propose Rule 21 definitions for grid support functions using open source modeling tools. Specific tasks include:

  • Selection of 7-10 feeders that are known to have a wide range of hosting capacities for solar PV

  • Determining the functionality requirements for high penetration PV, including set points, inverter ratings and response times to inform CA Rule 21 rulemaking

  • Perform bulk-system transient stability analysis to determine the range of voltage and frequency profiles

  • Coordination and outreach with stakeholders, in particular, the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission to inform the CA Rule 21 proceeding.

Deliverables and Documents

Reports:

FINAL Report: Analysis to Inform CA Grid Integration Rules for PV - September 2016 [PDF]

Presentations:

  • Task 2: Feeder Selection Overview. Rylander, M. and Smith, J. EPRI. May 15, 2015.  PDF  (400 KB)

  • Analysis to Inform CA Grid Integration Rules for PV. Smith, Jeff. EPRI. 26 June 2014.  PDF  (1 MB)

  • Task 3: Distribution Level Functions. Rylander, M., Smith, J., Broderick, R., and Mather, B. EPRI. February 17, 2016.  PDF  (1.3 MB)

Project Activities

Project Links