Distributed Wind Technology-Compatible Power Converters for Grid-Connected and Isolated Distributed Energy Systems

b. Distributed Wind Technology-Compatible Power Converters for Grid-Connected and Isolated Distributed Energy Systems This subtopic solicits proposals to develop power converter technologies compatible with distributed wind and wind-hybrid distributed energy systems. Distributed wind systems are those that use wind energy technology as a distributed energy resource (DER) to support local loads and/or operation of micro- and distribution grids. The lack of advanced power converter technologies that are designed for wind and wind-hybrid distributed energy systems has been identified as a technology gap. Wind-compatible power converters also provide an opportunity for industry collaboration, potential cost savings, and increased power performance with grid support capabilities [2]. Though the expanding market for solar power converters has resulted in technical advancements for solar PV, significant differences in the technical requirements between distributed wind and solar technologies make them suboptimal for use with distributed wind applications. In addition to advanced power converters for standalone distributed wind systems, advanced power converters for wind-hybrid wind, solar, storage distributed energy systems are also needed. Applicants are asked to address the tradeoff between developing turbine controls with power conversion in one combined system compared to physically separating these functions. The latter may be achieved, for example, by pairing the power converter with a wind interface device that has turbine control functions, including command of inverter power output. In addition, applicants should consider the modularity and scalability of their proposed technology to serve a range of turbine sizes and market applications. The envisioned technology is an IEEE 1547-2018-compliant power converter designed for a range wind turbine sizes up to 500 kW in rated capacity, either in standalone applications or in hybrid systems with solar, storage, or other DERs. As part of the project, the applicant must demonstrate that the proposed technology will meet the IEEE 1547-2018 standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces [1]. Questions Contact: Patrick Gilman, Patrick.Gilman@ee.doe.gov