Hello all! This week has been absolutely amazing! I've been going to Intel's energy department in Chandler this week and have had an amazing time! The food court is wonderful: there is Korean barbecue, Indian food, American grill, Italian food, and free coffee and fruits! I am also getting a tour of one of their six solar installments and the Intel product room! I can't wait for these tours and to share my experience with all of you!
My supervisor, Dr. Godart, and I have discovered a significant issue with grid tie inverters (the type of solar inverter mentioned in my last post). As I mentioned, a grid tie inverter, by definition, is intertwined with the grid. This means that when the utility grid shuts down (i.e., power outage, blackout), the inverter shuts off (meaning one cannot use their solar energy). This is due to safety protocols: if an inverter continued to function and provide energy to the house, some might be sent to the grid (like net metering) and shock a line worker sent to fix the problem. A solution to this problem is to add what is called a battery backup system. In this case, a set of rechargeable batteries is connected to the inverter and utility grid. Either the AC from the circuit or from the inverter recharges these batteries as they discharge, so in the case of a power outage, the inverter disconnects from the grid (this is known as anti-islanding protection) and relies on battery power. Furthermore, only priority appliances are powered by these batteries during the blackout.
So what exactly is the problem if we solved the issue with the battery backup system? The problem with the battery backup system is three: it is inefficient, costs more money to buy and maintain, and only powers primary appliances during power outages. This will idealy be a capability of a smart inverter: to allow solar power to be used at full capacity during a blackout and not endangering line workers. I will be asking this among many other questions in my interviews! Too look at the questions I have prepared, please click on the link "Interview Questions" under "Related Links" in the right column. I would strongly appreciate any feedback on the questions I have or suggestions on other questions!
Thanks for stopping by this week and I hope you enjoyed! Next week I will be conducting my interviews with people from Intel, APS, SRP, and Siemens. Fingers crossed all goes well! See you next time!
Signing off,
Kayvon Tadj
Wow a backup battery system would be really helpful, especially last Friday (I don't know if you were affected by the power outage too). Hopefully there will be a way to solve its issues.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your interviews!
A battery backup sounds like a good step fowards. Would the smart inverters allow for near full production in the case of power outages? Feels like solar should allow people to be relatively unaffected by a power outage.
ReplyDeleteThat's the goal! As of now, it would only power some parts of the home. However, hopefully this changes along with the inverters capability to function off-grid.
DeleteA way to have power during blackouts sounds really helpful, especially if it can be done more effectively than by backup batteries. Good luck with your interviews, and enjoy your tours, whenever those will be!
ReplyDeleteWhat has been your favorite food so far at Intel?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you hoping to accomplish during your interviews next week? I look forward to hearing how they go!
Definitely the Korean Barbecue! It's wonderful! The purpose of the interviews is for me to get a better understanding of where inverter technology is today, and where we want it to be tomorrow. From them, I will have a better idea of the perfect smart inverter!
DeleteI also love your Phun Physics Phact! I look forward to those each week.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you're enjoying them!
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