Advancing Grid Reliability and Resilience: Integrating Solar PV and Mitigating Extreme Weather Impacts

Electric grid reliability can be adversely affected by extreme events and natural hazards. These events can cause potential reductions in energy generation, affect transmission and distribution, and result in widespread power disruptions. The increasing integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as a major energy source adds additional complexity to grid operations during extreme events. To address these challenges, we leverage two approaches to understand how extreme weather can affect the grid: 1) resource adequacy analysis and 2) advanced modeling of a cyber-physical system. First, we conduct a resource adequacy analysis for a future grid with high PV generating capacity that is exposed to high winds, hurricanes, and winter storms. This enables us to understand hazard-specific shortfalls. Second, we develop a power system hazard analysis model that integrates weather data with grid simulations to evaluate the impacts of extreme temperatures on multiple power system components. This model helps identify and assess mitigation strategies to dynamically reduce extreme weather-related consequences. In this talk, we discuss how these approaches are used to improve understanding of grid reliability from both short-term operations and long-term planning perspectives. By addressing these challenges, we aim to contribute to the broader goal of making electric grid operations more resilient to extreme weather events.

Electric grid reliability can be adversely affected by extreme events and natural hazards. These events can cause potential reductions in energy generation, affect transmission and distribution, and result in widespread power disruptions. The increasing integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as a major energy source adds additional complexity to grid operations during extreme events. To address these challenges, we leverage two approaches to understand how extreme weather can affect the grid: 1) resource adequacy analysis and 2) advanced modeling of a cyber-physical system. First, we conduct a resource adequacy analysis for a future grid with high PV generating capacity that is exposed to high winds, hurricanes, and winter storms. This enables us to understand hazard-specific shortfalls. Second, we develop a power system hazard analysis model that integrates weather data with grid simulations to evaluate the impacts of extreme temperatures on multiple power system components. This model helps identify and assess mitigation strategies to dynamically reduce extreme weather-related consequences. In this talk, we discuss how these approaches are used to improve understanding of grid reliability from both short-term operations and long-term planning perspectives. By addressing these challenges, we aim to contribute to the broader goal of making electric grid operations more resilient to extreme weather events.