EnerNex projects related to wind generation modeling and interconnection are oriented around transmission and distribution systems, and focus on the electrical interactions between wind turbines and wind plants, and the electric power system. In close collaboration with turbine vendors we have developed detailed vendor-specific transient models for most of the wind turbine technologies deployed in North America.

We use the transient models developed in EMTP-RV and PSCAD as a basis for further development of dynamic models for simulation platforms such as PSLF and PSS/E.

A solar converter converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical network. It is a critical balance of system (BOS) component in a photovoltaic system, allowing the use of ordinary AC-powered equipment. Solar power inverters have special functions adapted for use with photovoltaic arrays, including maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding protection. Recent experience has shown that the harmonic behavior of modern power converters for renewable energy applications is complex and system dependent.

 It has been observed in the field that interactions between grid resonances and inverter controls comprising of terminal voltage and output current feedback loops, along with filters and other control blocks, can result in harmonic distortion levels at any frequency, not only odd characteristic harmonics. EnerNex has performed harmonic studies for multiple solar PV plants, and also analogous studies with Type 4 (full scale power converters) turbine generators that have experienced power quality problems, issues with inter-harmonics due to control interactions between the turbine converter and the grid.

EnerNex projects related to wind generation modeling and interconnection are oriented around transmission and distribution systems, and focus on the electrical interactions between wind turbines and wind plants, and the electric power system.

We developed, in close collaboration with turbine vendors, detailed vendor specific transient models of most wind turbine technologies deployed in North America. We used the transient models developed in EMTP-RV and PSCAD as a basis for further development of dynamic models for simulation platforms, such as PSLF and PSS/E.

Smart Metering and AMI is a transformational process addressing multiple business and technical needs of the utility enterprise. This is more than just smart meters and communications networks; it includes all of the back end applications that can leverage the meter assets, such as outage notification, demand response, call center optimization, disputed billing process handling, pre-payment opportunities, and service connection management methods and procedures, to name a few.

Implementing SM and AMI faces the same business, engineering, and operational challenges as any other across-the-utility information technology endeavors – most notably risk associated with embracing proprietary technology, missing functionality and early obsolescence. Effective SM and AMI development, implementation, and operation relies on a marriage of electric power engineering with information technology expertise: a key component of EnerNex’s expertise and experience.

EnerNex provides an array of engineering and consulting services geared towards intelligent and effective implementation of SM and AMI. This covers all phases of project development, starting with capturing system requirements where our experts leverage a “Use Case” centric view of activities needed to be accomplished and their interaction with systems and other users. Subsequent project steps typically examine other critical areas, such as: modeling of business cases, building inter-department consensus, assembling and assessing system functional requirements and non-functional requirements, developing a system design, hardware and software specifications and standards, complete procurement services including RFI and RFQ process support, supplier rating system, response evaluation methodology, deployment management, and training of office and field personnel.

Often the success and/or failure of demand response programs can be linked to program implementation challenges such as rate/tariff design rate structures communication (e.g. price signals) or ineffective incentives used by utilities to encourage customers to accept operational change. The issues of program design, rate structure and customer impact have a tremendous influence on the success or failure of load management initiatives. Demand response has traditionally been used as a tool of the energy industry to ensure system stability. However, the introduction of microelectronics, communications, home automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the development of cost effective solutions that have the capability to allow the consumer to take control of managing their energy load and ultimately, the price they pay for energy.

EnerNex has the experience and skills to turn your DR program into a successful operational asset and customer engagement process that can deliver value to all parties.

Natural and man-made disasters cause an estimated $57B in average annual costs for all parties; large single events have resulted in losses of $100B or more. Events, such as the World Trade Center disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and Superstorm Sandy, have demonstrated an acute need to revisit, revise and implement an effective energy assurance plan. Energy assurance plans assess the functionality and interdependencies of buildings and infrastructure systems and the role they play in sustaining service and rapidly restoring critical services to a community following a hazard event.

EnerNex assists our clients in developing comprehensive energy assurance plans that mitigate and minimize the impact of energy disruptions. Our experts assess critical infrastructure risks and evaluate appropriate mitigation strategies and can help in developing an effective business continuity/disaster recovery (BC/DR) plan for utilities and your customers.

As the electric grid becomes more distributed and interactive, microgrids are playing an increasingly important role in our energy future. Decision makers at military bases, corporate and institutional campuses, residential communities and critical facilities across the world are exploring and implementing microgrids to meet economic, resiliency and environmental goals. Utility-grade microgrids are being deployed to meet transmission constraints, reliability requirements and safe-havens in the event of a significant storm event.

Bringing together a portfolio of distributed energy resources into a controllable, islandable microgrid comes with its own set of challenges. The key to solving these challenges is in architecting a system to support information exchanges between components across well-defined points of interoperability (interfaces) in a technology independent manner. This interoperability ensures that the system is resilient to technology change. Modern systems engineering techniques must be employed to ensure that individual sub‐systems are clearly identified, their functions enumerated, their data requirements known, and the points of interoperability clearly specified, along with the commensurate monitoring, command and control that is needed to ensure grid stability. With such architecture, we can apply best of breed technology available today to support those information exchanges at interface boundaries but be free to upgrade / change the implementation technology later without causing a ripple effect throughout the system.

Today many utilities are facing changes at a pace that is faster than they can effectively manage. Changes can be rooted in many areas, including aging workforce, declining revenue, greater customer engagement requirements, defecting customers (DER and microgrid) renewable portfolio standards, and so forth. Setting a course with a purposeful direction that enables the new and nimble utility and one that is prepared for the future is the goal of this service. EnerNex provides levels of strategic consulting services that can be tailored to the audience level of authority or interest. This includes “C-Suite” executive workshops to help craft the corporate direction to Director/Managerial level engagements to ensure buy-in and set delivery metrics. In addition to tailoring this to the audience, our team can prepare topic-centric detailed focus that can dive into or cut across various spans of interest. These closely follow the EPRI Intelligrid framework and includes areas such as Customer, Distribution, Control, Wholesale, Market and Infrastructure.

Our services include aligning a business strategy with possible technology enablers, developing the use cases for change, developing economic valuation for these options, engaging key stakeholders and gaining concurrence, and delivering a strategic plan that defines milestones and metrics for success.

EnerNex’s strategic consulting services includes guidance on business transformation options to include related business and technological challenges. This guidance moves the client through a series of steps that include an analysis or assessment stage; the formulation of the actual strategy; and the articulation and communication of the actions needed to move the organization toward its strategic vision.

Often these engagements are directed at a significant investment area such as IT or OT Systems. Our investment review examines direct and indirect costs associated with these assets and evaluates the anticipated improvements, to define, measure and validate economic justifications for these efforts. As an integrated part of this investment evaluation, EnerNex is frequently called upon to perform pilot evaluations.