SEGIS Pushes Photovoltaics Into The Grid

Jan. 6, 2011

The U.S. Department of Energy SEGIS (Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems) pogram aims to support industry in developing new technologies for distributed power.

Sam Davis

The Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) concept will be key in achieving high penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into the utility grid. Advanced, integrated inverters/controllers will be the enabling technology to maximize the benefits of residential and commercial solar-energy systems, both to the systems owners and to the utility distribution network as a whole.

Advanced communication interfaces and control will boost the value of the energy provided by these solar systems. They also will increase the reliability of electrical service, both for solar and non-solar customers.

The objective of SEGIS is to develop the technologies to increase PV penetration into the utility grid while maintaining or improving the utility grid’s power quality and reliability. Highly integrated, innovative, advanced inverters and associated balance-of-system (BOS) elements for residential and commercial solar-energy applications will be the key components developed in the effort.

Advanced integrated inverters/controllers may incorporate energy-management functions and/or communicate with standalone energy-management systems or utility energy portals, such as smart metering systems. Products will be developed for the utility grid of today, which was designed for one-way power flow, and for intermediate grid scenarios. They will also be developed for the grid of tomorrow, which will seamlessly accommodate two-way power flows as required by wide-scale deployment of solar and other distributed resources.

PV Powered Inc. is leading a team selected to continue development work funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) and administered by Sandia National Laboratories. Focus of the effort is lowering the barriers to adoption of solar energy on the utility grids of North America. Stage 3 represents the final stage of the competitive portion of the SEGIS program, which is directed toward commercialization of the technologies developed under previous stages.

About the Author

Sam Davis

Sam Davis was the editor-in-chief of Power Electronics Technology magazine and website that is now part of Electronic Design. He has 18 years experience in electronic engineering design and management, six years in public relations and 25 years as a trade press editor. He holds a BSEE from Case-Western Reserve University, and did graduate work at the same school and UCLA. Sam was the editor for PCIM, the predecessor to Power Electronics Technology, from 1984 to 2004. His engineering experience includes circuit and system design for Litton Systems, Bunker-Ramo, Rocketdyne, and Clevite Corporation.. Design tasks included analog circuits, display systems, power supplies, underwater ordnance systems, and test systems. He also served as a program manager for a Litton Systems Navy program.

Sam is the author of Computer Data Displays, a book published by Prentice-Hall in the U.S. and Japan in 1969. He is also a recipient of the Jesse Neal Award for trade press editorial excellence, and has one patent for naval ship construction that simplifies electronic system integration.

You can also check out his Power Electronics blog.