Funding Program: SuNLaMP
SunShot Subprogram: Systems Integration
Location: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
SunShot Award Amount: $3,000,000
This project focuses on accelerating the revision process of the IEEE 1547 series and UL 1741 standards and testing procedures. Collectively, these standards are the foundational documents in the U.S. that are mandated for integrating solar energy systems with the electric distribution grid. Establishing accelerated development of new interconnection and interoperability requirements and conformance procedures will allow for more photovoltaic (PV) solar energy to be added to the grid.
Approach
Researchers will fill gaps, remove prohibitions, and clarify or explicitly state clear pathways for PV deployment through the revision process of these standards. IEEE 1547 revision will address shortcomings such as interoperability and communications-based performance. Similarly, revisions to 1547.1 and UL 1741 will address the lack of requirements for conformance testing procedures for the state-of-the-art interconnection functionalities and their potential performance interference with one another.
Innovation
By accelerating the revision of IEEE 1547, IEEE 1547.1 and UL standards, this project will help to facilitate the addition of more renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, onto the U.S. electrical grid in a safe and reliable manner.