For those of us old enough to remember, the 2003 blackout in New York City and parts of the Northeast served as a grim reminder of the tenuous nature of the electrical grid we all take for granted. Electrical generation and distribution systems are complex and, in many cases, overtaxed and quite old. But technology has significantly improved since that fateful day, and if today’s grid operators had access to some of the tools now in place or currently being developed, they might have been able to mitigate or avoid that memorable and traumatic power interruption.
Looking back, explains Junbo Zhao, Castleman Term professor in Engineering Innovation, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), part of the problem was that the control systems that existed in 2003 didn’t offer any functional way to give operators the needed visibility to adjust to generations and demands in real time. They lacked the tools they needed to reroute or divert power from other sources and, in hindsight, to have seen the problems as they were developing.
“Traditionally, power grid operators use a method called static state estimation (SSE) to monitor systems and ensure reliable data for decision-making,” Zhao explains. “However, this method struggles under extreme conditions, which contributed to the 2003 blackout, causing billions of dollars in losses.”
With the rapid growth of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, he adds, as well as increased battery storage, the power grid is becoming more dynamic. Traditional SSE is no longer enough to keep up with these fast-changing conditions.
To help address these challenges, Zhao, from the UConn College of Engineering (CoE), has received a five-year National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program grant. The CAREER Program is a foundation-wide activity that offers the NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.
According to Zhao, beyond technical advancements, this project also will foster collaboration between industry and academia, update courses, and provide hands-on training in renewable energy, data analytics, and power engineering. Special efforts will be made to engage K-12 students, helping to build the next generation of energy experts.
“We’re looking at ways to expand now to ensure that our energy systems are more resilient and expandable in the future,” Zhao explains. “We are exploring dynamic abilities and creating tools that can be utilized to guide effective decision-making and prevent catastrophic blackouts, rather than simply respond to them.”
Researchers help ensure stability going forward
This grant project aims to improve grid operators’ ability to monitor and control the power system in real time, ensuring stability as more renewable energy sources are added. The project will introduce new ways to use measurements for tracking system conditions, diagnosing and fixing model issues, and improving measurement setups to enhance grid reliability and security.
“Dr. Zhao’s NSF CAREER award is a testament to the ECE department’s dedication to integrating research and educational excellence,” says John Chandy, professor and ECE department head. “The award will support his research efforts in power grid reliability and resilience as well as an integrated education program focused on undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, the program will extend his outreach efforts to the community as well as to industry and national lab partners. I am confident that this new CAREER project will drive innovations that further enhance the university mission and strengthen the ECE department’s power and energy program.”
Zhao earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 2018. He also serves as director, DOE Northeast University Cybersecurity Center for Advanced and Resilient Energy Delivery, and is a research scientist for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
According to Emmanouil Anagnostou, executive director of CoE’s institute of environment and energy, the Eversource Energy Center, Zhao’s CAREER research will further enhance the center’s role in enhancing grid reliability and resilience, particularly as the integration of renewable energy continues to expand.
“Dr. Zhao’s CAREER project will significantly benefit both the utility industry and the research community by advancing integrated research and education on the scientific and engineering principles necessary for modeling, monitoring, and digitizing future power systems,” says Anagnostou. “With the growing adoption of renewable energy, this work is essential for ensuring a secure and reliable power supply.”
