Alstom, a global leader in clean technology innovation, today announced a series of webinars on October 6 and 7, 2011 to present findings from a comprehensive study into challenges and best practices associated with integrating variable renewable energy sources into global power grids. The presentations will be delivered by Dr. Lawrence Jones, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Policy and Industry Relations for Alstom Grid in North America, who led this study as principal investigator.
“This report is based on insight from grid operators in 18 countries who together account for more than 72% of worldwide wind power generating capacity. That scope makes it the first known research to draw from such a broad sampling of global utility expertise,” said Jones. “Special thanks are due to the grid operators who participated in this project, the five-member Industry Advisory Committee, the Utility Wind Integration Group and other industry associations, who provided invaluable support.”
Members of the media, the global energy industry, regulatory agencies, policymakers and the research community are invited to join the webinars, which are being produced by Alstom in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy, PennWell and Bernard Energy Advocacy. Registration is available via the website of Electric Light & Power magazine for the three sessions, details of which are as follows:
Successful Strategies for Renewable Integration – A Ground-breaking Global Study
Best Practices for Integrating and Managing a Growing Base of Variable Energy Resources
Thursday, October 6, 2011 – 1:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, October 7, 2011 – 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. EDT
“The U.S. Department of Energy is to be commended for their leadership on and support for this important initiative as it directly addresses the real-world grid implications of a global push for increased use of cleaner, renewable energy sources,” said Keith Stentiford, Alstom Grid’s Regional Vice President for North America. “The Department’s advancement of this project, made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is a direct investment in a more sustainable future.”
Specific topics to be addressed during the webinars include but are not limited to:
Impacts of increased wind energy generation on existing grid infrastructure, and the interplay between wind power and power system operations.
The critical impact of forecast data on successful wind turbines integration, and emerging trends in forecast methodologies.
Recommendations for policies, operational strategies, business processes and control room tools to support reliable system operations with large amounts of variable generation.
Each one hour webinar will include a 35-minute presentation followed by a 25-minute question and answer period. During the opening presentation, Jones will provide an overview of results from the report and their implications for electric transmission grid operators. The webinars are being offered at multiple dates and times to accommodate participants from various time zones. Opening remarks will be delivered by Charlton Clark, Technology Manager for Renewable Systems Interconnection in the Wind and Water Power Program of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The webinars will be moderated by Teresa Hansen, Editor-in-Chief of Electric Light & Power.
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world. It provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind energy, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 92,000 people in 100 countries and had sales of €20.9 billion in 2010/11.
Alstom Grid has over 100 years of expertise in electrical grids. Whether for utilities or electro-intensive industries or facilitating the trading of energy, Alstom Grid brings power to its customers’ projects. Alstom Grid ranks among the top 3 in the electrical transmission sector with a sales turnover of more than €4 billion in 2011. It has 20,000 employees and over 90 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide. At the heart of the development of Smart Grid, Alstom Grid offers products, services and integrated energy management solutions across the full energy value chain—from power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.
