MAE RESEARCH SEMINAR SERIES

"DOE’s Perspectives on Smart Grid Technology, Challenges, & Research Opportunities"

Dan Ton

Program Manager
Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability
Smart Grid Research & Development
U.S. Department of Energy

Thursday, 19 November 2009
38-138 Engineering IV
Time: 11:00 am

Abstract: This talk will present smart grid technology, challenges, and research opportunities from the perspective of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE launched its grid modernization agenda with establishment of the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) in 2003. Research, development, and integration of digital technology for dynamic optimization of electric system operations, maintenance, and planning (also known as smart grid technology) have been a critical mission area of the OE for grid modernization to achieve a reliable, efficient, and resilient electric power grid.
The snapshots of smart grid system deployment in the U.S. in 2009 will be presented in two complementary efforts, one applying the metrics defined for achieving the seven principal characteristics of a smart grid and one applying the Smart Grid Maturity Model to analyze survey results of electric utilities. Both efforts reveal that smart grid implementation is still at an early stage in the U.S., with much work needed to advance maturity levels of smart grid metrics. The “immature” levels, and thus challenges, lie in the realms of technology, standards, economics, and regulation and policies. The $4.5 billion in Recovery Act investments to address these smart grid challenges and the progress of these investments will be discussed. Furthermore, development of smart grid R&D focus areas for the OE to invest in during the next five years is currently under way; development status and implementation via a 2010 solicitation will be presented.

Biosketch: Dan Ton is Program Manager of the Smart Grid Research and Development Program within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE). In this capacity, Dan is responsible for developing and managing multi-year research and development activities for next-generation smart grid technologies to transform the electric grid in the United States, including establishment of public/private partnerships for smart grid transformation. Previously within the DOE, Dan served as the Team Lead for Systems Integration within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Program. Dan led renewable systems integration efforts, specifically on developing advanced technologies and practices to achieve high penetration of both photovoltaic (PV) systems and concentrating solar power into the nation’s electric grid. In addition, Dan led the Solar Program’s Technology Evaluation efforts, responsible for conducting R&D in modeling & analysis, reliability performance, test & evaluation, and systems engineering & manufacturing to support achieving grid-parity for solar electricity across the nation by 2015. Dan’s experience within the Solar Program also included managing its High Reliability Inverter Program and several PV demonstration projects. Before joining the DOE, Dan worked for the U.S. Navy in the areas of navy ship communication and control systems development and weapon technologies programs. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Business Management, both from the University of Maryland.

All faculty, students, and guests are welcome to this event.
(Refreshments will be served)
For more information, please contact David Shatto at dshatto@ea.ucla.edu.