PSERC’s comprehensive research program includes 3 stems to address the needs of the modern electric energy infrastructure . They are:
- Power Markets
Markets research focuses on market design, analysis, and mechanisms within the context of the electric power system. Current research topics include implications of greenhouse gas policy options for power systems, coupling wind generation with controllable load and storage, demand response options for integrating renewable energy, and interactions of energy and environmental policies in a transmission constrained electric power market. - Power Systems
Systems research seeks ways to increase use, efficiency and reliability of increasingly complex and dynamic power systems. Current research topics are transmission corridors to support renewable energy resources, integration of storage devices with renewable, special protection schemes, visualization using PMU data, synchrophasor application framework, on-line security assessment, and model and data interoperability in a smart grid. - Transmission and Distribution Technologies
This research improves performance of T&D systems by finding new applications for innovative technologies. Current research projects include new substation designs, communication requirements for a smart grid, PHEV’s for energy storage, smart grid implications for distribution engineering, interoperability of PMU’s and PMU-enabled intelligent electronic devices, and micro and nano dielectrics for utility applications.
Leveraged Research
Through collaboration, PSERC conducts research that leverages the industrial support it receives from its members. Here are some examples.
- 2016: Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “The Future Grid to Enable Sustainable Energy Systems” project focused on how to integrate higher penetrations of renewable generation and other future technologies into the grid while enhancing grid stability, reliability, and efficiency. It also aims to stimulate discussion among the academic, industry, and government communities on what it will take to shape the future grid for the mid-twenty-first century.
For more information see the Future Grid Final Report - 2009-2015: The Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS), was formed in 1999 to research, develop and commercialize new methods, tools and technologies to protect and enhance the reliability of the U.S. electric power system. CERTS conducted research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electric Delivery and Energy Independence, and by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research Program. PSERC faculty worked with researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories and several energy businesses.
For more information see the Phase I report (2009-2013) and the Phase II report (2014-2015)