Energy Systems Integration Newsletter: January 2023

In this edition, NREL assesses cybersecurity needs for electrifying aviation infrastructure, a new 3D interactive tool streamlines energy-efficiency home upgrades, the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator program is accepting applications for its second cohort, and more.

Electric Aviation Is Arriving, and Cybersecurity Is a High Priority

Airport cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important with the adoption of electric aircraft. A new NREL report assesses potential cyber needs for electrifying aviation infrastructure and how key stakeholders—such as airlines, utilities, equipment suppliers, and regulators—might implement a cybersecurity approach. The authors identify common approaches to secure infrastructure early in the design and procurement process.

NREL Supports the Development of Interactive 3D House Tool for Home Energy Professionals

Energy-efficiency home upgrades, such as air sealing and attic insulation, can help residential consumers save money on their heating and cooling bills. To assist home energy professionals in making effective, durable, and safe upgrades, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released a series of weatherization job aids along with an interactive 3D house tool. The tool was developed in part by NREL for DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

The tool allows users to explore a 3D house to learn more about weatherization retrofit strategies. The weatherization job aids provide step-by-step visual guides and easy-to-use checklists for new and seasoned home energy professionals. This free, self-guided tool is now available as a resource for anyone looking to complete energy retrofits.

Explore the 3D interactive house tool.

Apply to the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator Program

Through Feb. 10, 2023, the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator program is accepting applications for its second cohort. The accelerator convenes federal experts, energy industry partners, and innovators to identify urgent security gaps in energy systems and to expedite solutions to market.

Cybersecurity innovators with solutions that meet the criteria for Cohort 2 are invited to apply. Throughout the cohort period, participants will receive professional evaluations of their technologies as well as partnership opportunities.

Learn more and apply to the accelerator program.

A Distinguished Fellow: Paul Denholm Recognized by Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

Researcher Paul Denholm has been recognized as a 2023 Fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers for his contributions to energy storage and renewable energy systems. Fellows are selected for their extraordinary accomplishments in the institute’s domains, which have been numerous throughout Denholm’s research career. From helping to identify the infamous “duck curve,” to more recent landmark studies identifying clean energy pathways, to his continual leadership and mentorship for early career scientists, Denholm’s crosscutting work is blazing trails.

New Clean Energy to Communities Program Helps Communities Meet Their Clean Energy Goals

Clean Energy to Communities is a new, innovative DOE program that connects local governments, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with the immense capabilities of DOE’s national lab complex to help them turn their clean energy goals into reality. The program offers three unique types of support, including in-depth partnerships, peer-learning cohorts, and expert match. Apply to the Clean Energy to Communities program.

NREL Selected as Lead for Two Clean Energy Resilience Projects Under Department of Energy Program

Last year, the United States sustained 15 climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each. Subsequent power outages can have disastrous effects, shutting down critical services.

To help communities plan their clean energy transitions and improve grid reliability and security, DOE recently announced funding for 23 new projects. Through the Renewables Advancing Community Energy Resilience funding program, 20 research projects will focus on increasing communities’ resilience to disruptions from extreme weather and other disasters. Three projects, under the Energyshed funding program, will develop tools for communities to evaluate their current and future energy supply and demand landscape.

NREL was awarded funding for two projects through the program. One will focus on neighborhood-scale quantification and valuation of the resilience benefits of new grid investments. The other will focus on developing an estimation tool that coordinates multiple datasets to enable real-time visibility of the grid in Ramsey, Minnesota.

For more details about clean energy transition projects, check out DOE’s press release.

Puerto Rican Voices Propel Renewable Energy Study Forward

The Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100) is a stakeholder-driven project finding ways for Puerto Rico to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2050. Nearly 100 Puerto Rico energy stakeholders have weighed in on the changes they want to see in their energy system, and some preliminary research findings offer a preview of what’s possible.

A 1-year progress update of the study was recently presented to the advisory stakeholder group and then to the public on Jan. 23, 2023. Read about the preliminary findings, and learn how you can get involved in PR100.

Apply for Department of Energy Clean Energy on Mine Land Technical Assistance

DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations is now offering technical assistance to inform decision-making on topics related to developing clean energy projects on mine land. This effort will provide no-cost technical assistance that informs the development of successful, impactful, and replicable projects that align with Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land priorities. These priorities include local job creation and economic development, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and the development of lower-cost electricity generation. Technical assistance will vary based on project needs/requests and intends to support any project development phase, including concept development, planning, design, and execution. Apply for technical assistance today.

NREL Hosts 28th Annual Pyrheliometer Comparisons Event

Missing the sunshine? These overcast winter skies have us looking forward to bright and sunny summer days. Each year during September—Colorado’s sunniest month—NREL hosts a Pyrheliometer, Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer (ACP), and Infrared Integrating Sphere (IRIS) Comparisons event to help participants from around the world recalibrate their devices.

After each event, NREL’s Metrology Laboratory in the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory analyzes the data, and the resulting report helps participants calibrate their absolute cavity radiometers (ACRs), ACPs, and IRISs with traceability to the World Radiometric Reference and the World Infrared Standard Group. Proper radiometer calibrations with traceability to the International System of Units are essential for producing accurate solar radiation measurements for renewable energy and atmospheric research applications.

Visit our photo gallery of the 2022 Pyrheliometer Comparisons event. Interested in the event data? Check out our 2022 Pyrheliometer and ACP, IRIS, and Pyrgeometer technical reports.

Publications Roundup

Developing an Equity-Focused Metric for Quantifying the Social Burden of Infrastructure Disruptions

Communities in the United States increasingly depend on aging infrastructure systems and are challenged by more frequent and intense extreme weather events due in part to climate change. Yet, prioritizing resilience-related investments in these systems is hindered by the lack of performance metrics that objectively quantify the societal outcomes of infrastructure disruptions, such as power or water outages. This paper outlines the process of developing an equity-focused resilience metric that captures the social consequences of infrastructure service disruptions on households. The article concludes by discussing the types of data needed to populate the proposed metric and future applications of this work that could inform the resilient infrastructure investments and planning necessary to mitigate the social burdens of power outages on vulnerable populations.

High-Resolution Wind Resource Data Set of the Greater Puerto Rico Region

In February 2022, DOE and six national laboratories launched PR100 in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. PR100 aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of possible pathways for Puerto Rico’s energy future, with a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. As part of the renewable energy potential assessment in this project, the authors developed 20 years (2001–2020) of data using a numerical weather prediction model for land-based wind and offshore wind resource assessments for Puerto Rico. These data will support wind energy development considerations for PR100.

Overview of Functional Technical Requirements for Intentional Islands

This document provides an overview of the context, requirements, and implementation considerations related to intentional islands, or microgrids. The authors discuss common types of intentional island configurations, provide high-level summaries of standards that address some aspects of intentional islanding implementation and interconnection, and discuss specific standards that apply during the islanding operational stages of parallel operation—transitioning to islanding, islanding operation, and transitioning back to parallel operation.