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Emerging Implications of DC Power & Energy Storage . Ken Boyce NFPA Alternative Energy Technologies and Electrical Safety Standards Symposium December 2011. The dynamic nature of energy. More distributed generation such as solar & wind power Emergence of the Smart Grid & microgrids
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Emerging Implications of DC Power & Energy Storage Ken Boyce NFPA Alternative Energy Technologies and Electrical Safety Standards Symposium December 2011
The dynamic nature of energy • More distributed generation such as solar & wind power • Emergence of the Smart Grid & microgrids • Mass deployment of electric vehicles • Increased interest in low voltage DC distribution
Trends and drivers • Energy volatility • Increased demand for control • Reduced environmental impact • New technologies • Pricing • Energy efficiency
Energy is the currency of the future • The intersection of technology and our changing world gives us both challenges and opportunities
Opportunities • Alternative energies give us the chance to: • Build an energy infrastructure more in line with societal values • Increase benefits to the public – ease of use, global compatibility, etc. • Make the most impactful use of emerging technologies
Challenges • Alternative energies require that we must: • Understand the implications of new technologies and systems • Holistically address interoperability and performance • Make systems beneficial to users; and • Assure a safe, sustainable deployment for all – consumers, users, professionals, first responders, etc.
The role of Codes and Standards • Model codes and product standards: • Provide a baseline for product features and characteristics • Allow for standardized expectations and properties • Promote acceptance of products and systems within the market • Generate a platform for harmonization
UL Standards • UL has written over 30 standards in the last two years to cover electrical alternative energy products • UL has numerous standards projects, harmonization projects, Technical Committee work and research projects underway in this sector
Product Standards • Product standards need to be developed where they do not exist • Existing standards need to be updated to reflect new technologies and/or new uses • Standards need to reflect learnings from the field as products are deployed, and used and misused
Development of the ANSI standard for electric vehicle batteries
Requirements for low-voltage DC appliance connectors Source: The Green Grid
What’s next? • Much work has been done, but some issues will require further attention: • Form factors and interoperability issues • Home & community energy storage systems • Implications of V2G, V2H power from EVs
What’s next? • Staying ahead of new energy storage technologies, with new benefits and potential hazards • Increased understanding of material responses to DC arcing • Trends to increased voltages as a way to promote energy transfer
What’s next? • Repurposing of equipment like batteries for second life in different applications • Understanding and predicting consumer behavior as it relates to new alternative energy products & systems • Implications of accumulated storage products
Conclusion • Development of alternative energy products is extremely dynamic • The codes and standards community has been diligent in anticipating, researching, and addressing alternative energy technologies • Continued effort in the technical community is needed to support safe deployments
Thank you. • Ken Boyce • UL • Principal Engineer Manager - Energy • Kenneth.p.boyce@ul.com • 847.664.2318