Joel Alpízar-Castillo’s Post

⚡📑 Watt’s Up Monthly Vol. 11: »It’s All About the Right Voltage – Low-Voltage Regulation in Modern Distribution Grids« Stable voltage is becoming an increasing challenge for modern distribution grids. With the growing integration of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics, e‑mobility, and heat pumps, voltage fluctuations - both over‑ and undervoltage - are on the rise. This special publication explores how the »LVRSys® - Low‑Voltage Regulation System« provides a cost‑efficient and maintenance‑friendly alternative to traditional grid expansion for keeping voltage levels consistently within nominal bounds. In today´s episode of Watt´s Up Monthly, you'll read: • Why reliable voltage stability is critical in the low‑voltage grid ✓ • How LVRSys® counters voltage fluctuations economically and flexibly ✓ • The key benefits of LVRSys®—easy integration, cost-effectiveness, low/no maintenance, and high grid resilience ✓ We delve further into: • The challenges of modern distribution networks driven by renewables and EVs • How LVRSys® compares with conventional solutions like line extensions, RONTs, and reactive power compensation (in terms of cost, flexibility, and efficiency) • Why LVRSys® stands out as a minimal‑maintenance, scalable solution for today’s grid demands 👉 Read and/or download the full application report here: https://lnkd.in/e9pXNhZD Enjoy the read! Do you have questions about LVRSys® and how it could help your grid infrastructure? Contact us at sales@a-eberle.de. Your A. Eberle - Team #LowVoltageRegulation #LVRSys #VoltageStability #GridResilience #SmartGrid #EnergyTransition #AEberle

☘️ Simulation: Frequency Stabilization & Demand Response A microgrid is a local energy system that can run independently or with the main grid, integrating renewables like solar for greater reliability and sustainability. 👍 I’m sharing my recent microgrid simulation, showing how solar panels, batteries, diesel generators, etc, interact under islanded conditions. The focus is on frequency stabilization and demand response, highlighting the practical challenges and solutions for modern, resilient energy systems. In here: ⚡ The system operates in grid-connected mode until an islanding event occurs at noon. 🔋 Before islanding, the battery stays idle (no dispatch). 🔋 After islanding, the battery and diesel generator actively stabilize the system. 💹 Demand Response (DR) reduces loads during high deficits, showing a visible impact. 💹 Droop-based frequency control ensures the frequency remains stable around 50 Hz, even in islanding mode. ✋ Colors, though I have tried to make them visible Red: Actual Load (with Demand Response): real consumption after DR. Black: Original Load (no DR): baseline demand before control. Green: Renewable Generation. Blue: Total Generation: combined supply from all sources. Magenta: Diesel Generator: backup power. The video illustrates the simulation of a microgrid, with the simulation displayed at the top and the corresponding figure at the bottom (figure adapted from Energies, MDPI, 2025, CC BY 4.0, DOI: https://lnkd.in/eP_yp3eq). #Microgrid #RenewableEnergy #SmartGrid #BatteryStorage #PowerSystems

🔌 Grid-Following Inverters: The Technical Backbone of Modern Grids Grid-following inverters are the fundamental components enabling today's rapid integration of renewable energy sources. Their primary function is to act as a controlled current source, injecting power into the grid while strictly adhering to its existing conditions. The core of a grid-following inverter's operation is its ability to synchronize with the grid using a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL). The PLL ensures the inverter's output is perfectly aligned with the grid's voltage. This synchronization is captured by the relationship: Vgrid =Vm ⋅ cos(ωt+θ) [1] Here, Vm is the grid voltage magnitude, ω is the angular frequency, and θ is the phase angle, which the PLL tracks precisely. Based on this, the inverter's controller generates the current reference signals (Idref, Iqref) in a rotating reference frame (d-q frame) to control active and reactive power flow: ● Active Power (P): Controlled by the d-axis current. P = 3 ÷ 2 (Vd ⋅Id + Vq ⋅ Iq ) [2] ● Reactive Power (Q): Controlled by the q-axis current. Q = 3 ÷ 2 (Vq ⋅ Id −Vd ⋅ Iq ) [3] ● In grid-following mode, the inverter aligns its d-axis with the grid voltage vector, making Vq approximately zero. This simplifies the power equations to: P≈ 3 ÷ 2 (Vd ⋅ Id) [3] Q≈ - 3 ÷ 2 (Vd ⋅ Iq) [4] ● This allows for the independent control of active power (via Id ) and reactive power (via Iq), enabling the inverter to follow grid commands. ● Conclusion: While a highly effective strategy for today's centralized grids, grid-following inverters are dependent on a strong grid for stability. The rise of renewables is changing this, paving the way for #gridforming solutions that can create their own stable voltage and frequency. What are your thoughts on the future balance between grid-following and grid-forming technologies? 🤔 Will they coexist, or will one eventually dominate? #PowerElectronics #GridFollowing #RenewableEnergy #ElectricalEngineering #SmartGrid #PowerSystems #EnergyTransition

Imagine an extension of 80 million kilometers. It’s a scale that’s hard to grasp. That's roughly equivalent to circling the Earth 2,000 times. Yet, this is the level of grid expansion or replacement required to meet climate and energy goals by 2040. Grid-enSure™ is a portfolio of solutions that supports this transformation with power electronics and advanced control systems. It delivers key functionalities such as grid-forming, synthetic inertia, fast-frequency response, voltage control, interoperability, and much more, helping operators manage complexity and unlock capacity across: ✅ Transmission systems ✅ Renewable energy integration ✅ Rail infrastructure ✅ Industrial networks Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9tZptEd #GridEnSure #PowerElectronics #SmartGrid #EnergyInnovation #HitachiEnergy #GridIntegration

Comparing Grid-following with Grid-forming inverter technologies .................................................................... • Grid-following inverter is also known as Current source inverter (CSI), while Grid-forming inverter is also referred to Voltage source inverter (VSI). ✅️ • Grid-following inverter is led by pre-existing strong grid, while Grid-forming forms grid by stabilising it with voltage and frequency for synchronization ✅️ • Grid-following inverter is synchronized with the grid using Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) control strategy, while Grid-forming inverter is synchronized with the grid using Droop control and virtual synchronous machine (VSM) ✅️ • Grid-following inverter will be non-existent if grid gets dead, while Grid-forming inverter can exist after the grid is dead (non-existent) using its islanding mode capability ✅️ • Grid-following inverter doesn't support isolated microgrid and mini-grid, distributed energy resources (DERs) becouse its reliance on existing grid electrical parameters (voltage, frequency), while Grid-forming inverter does aid isolated DERs with islanding capability by feeding local loads with no problem ✅️ • Grid-following inverter output stability depends on the grid's output stability, while Grid-forming inverter output stabilizes independently to local isolated loads ✅️ • Grid-following inverter is applicable to the regions of grid domination, while Grid-forming inverter is applicable to inverter-dominant regions ✅️ • Grid-following inverter works on PLL control architecture, while Grid-forming inverter operates with two control architectures: 1. Droop control architecture for Power- frequency deviations handles ✅️ 2. Virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control strategy for mimicking traditional synchronous generators with large rotating inertia and swing dynamics ✅️ • Grid-following technology is adopted widely in renewables, while Grid-forming technology is new promising technology with potential benefits to renewable industry ✅️ • Grid-following inverter is old version, while Grid-forming inverter is new, future-proof technology to the renewable energy industry. ✅️ □ Strategic implication: "the grid of the future will not be followed—it will be formed"

𝐇𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐬 As Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like solar, wind, and batteries grow, microgrids need a control strategy that ensures stability, quality, and cost efficiency. The Hierarchical Control Framework addresses this through three layers: 🔹 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 (𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆) Provides an immediate, local reaction using droop control, keeping frequency and voltage stable even without communication. This prevents system collapse during sudden changes. 🔹 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 (𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑶𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏) Corrects the small frequency and voltage deviations left by droop control. Through gossip-based peer-to-peer communication, DERs coordinate to restore nominal values and maintain high power quality. 🔹 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 (𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑶𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏) Goes beyond stability and quality by ensuring cost-efficient operation. DERs exchange marginal cost information via gossip algorithms, redistributing generation and demand until the system reaches economic optimality. ✅ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: Stability from primary, quality from secondary, and efficiency from tertiary together, they make microgrids resilient, scalable, and economically optimized for the future grid. #Microgrids #SmartGrid #DistributedEnergy #PowerSystems

⚡ The Hidden Challenge of Renewable Energy: Grid Stability 🌍 In power engineering, we often discuss how much solar or wind energy we can add to the system. But the real question is: Can the grid remain stable with high renewable penetration? 🔑 Key Technical Points: 📉 Frequency Stability – Renewables lack inertia compared to traditional synchronous generators. 🔌 Voltage Fluctuations – Sudden solar drop (cloud cover) can disturb voltage profiles. ⚡ Power Quality Issues – Harmonics from inverters add complexity. Solutions are emerging: ✔️ Energy Storage Systems for fast balancing ✔️ AI-based forecasting for demand & generation ✔️ FACTS devices to control voltage & power flow 💡 For me, as a Power specialization student, it’s fascinating to see how traditional stability concepts (inertia, damping, reactive power) are being redefined in the age of renewables. 👉 Question for my network: Do you think AI + Storage can fully replace the stability role of conventional generators? #PowerSystems #GridStability #RenewableIntegration #SmartGrid #ElectricalEngineering

EnerNex Featured in Utility Dive! We’re proud to share that EnerNex has been highlighted in Utility Dive for our expertise in Electromagnetic Transients (EMT) modeling of inverter-based resources (IBRs). Utility Dive is a leading U.S. outlet read by utility executives, energy managers, engineers, and policymakers. As renewable energy integration grows, traditional grid modeling can’t fully capture the fast dynamics and complex behaviors of IBRs. EMT simulations are becoming essential to ensure grid reliability, stability, and compliance with evolving standards like IEEE 2800-2022 and IEEE 1547-2018. EnerNex’s experience in this field supports utilities in navigating these technical challenges and advancing the transition to a more resilient, sustainable energy system. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e4aBrpQ3 #Energy #GridReliability #RenewableEnergy #EMTModeling #Utilities #CESI

Is N-1 resilience still enough for the modern grid? As renewable generation rises and system inertia drops, traditional grid protection strategies are being tested like never before. In association with Siemens, Utility Week explores how digitalisation is enabling more adaptive protection systems and why this is vital to avoid outages in an increasingly complex network. Discover insights from Paul Bancroft, executive power system consultant specialising in grid code compliance and power system protection, Siemens Grid Software, on meeting the challenges of the energy transition. 🔗 Learn more → https://bit.ly/3JbmmxR

Could a breakthrough in thermal battery tech reshape our energy future? Fourth Power’s sci-fi-inspired solution promises to store electricity at a fraction of today’s costs, potentially outcompeting natural gas plants. What impact could this have on the grid and clean energy adoption? Source: TechCrunch. Let’s discuss! https://cstu.io/257ec3 #Conversions #TargetAudience #WebsiteTraffic #OnlinePresence #MarketingInsights #DigitalMarketing #CommunityEngagement #AdvertisingGoals #BusinessMarketing #CostEffectiveStrategy #BrandElevation #CustomerFeedback #BusinessGrowth #SudoXResults #BrandAwareness