Department of Energy announces funding for solar energy projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $12 million in funding for eight projects to advance predictive modeling capabilities for solar generation to improve forecasts for solar generation and better manage solar power overall.

By Department of Energy January 1, 2018

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $12 million in funding for eight projects to advance predictive modeling capabilities for solar generation. These models will lead to more accurate forecasts of solar generation levels, enabling utilities to better manage the variability and uncertainty of solar power and improve grid reliability.

The funding is intended to advance solar forecasting technologies in a coordinated way with partnerships between national labs, universities, and industry. Four projects are aimed at making significant advances in predicting solar generation. Another project at the University of Arizona will build a testing framework to allow industry and academia to evaluate and compare the performance of advanced models according to a transparent set of rules and metrics.

Three projects will study the integration of advanced forecasting technologies with grid planning and operations systems in partnership with the California Independent System Operator, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. This research will validate whether or not these technologies can be efficiently integrated into energy management systems and enhance grid operation efficiency while working to identify any future research needs.

U.S. Department of Energy

Department of Energy 

– Edited from a DOE press release by CFE Media. See more Control Engineering energy and power stories.