Microgrids In MISO and Their Reliance on T&D Infrastructure: University of St Thomas Renewable Energy Facility Microgrid Case Study
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 | 10:45 - 11:30 am
Microgrids' primary purpose might be research, reliability, resiliency or off-grid. However, microgrids in Midcontinent ISO (MISO) region in our experience continue to rely on T&D infrastructure and hence would need transmission network. The University of St. Thomas Renewable Energy Facility (USTREF) Microgrid Project funding is provided by customers of Xcel Energy through a grant from the Renewable Development Fund. Discussing USTREF in depth, this session focuses more on the real life experience of bringing a microgrid concept to life.
Speakers
Speakers
Greg S. Mowry
Professor and Program Director, Renewable Energy and Alternatives Laboratory (REAL)
University of St. Thomas, St Paul, MN
Dr. Greg Mowry came to the University of St. Thomas in 2003 with 25 years of bleeding-edge engineering, research, and product development experience in nanotechnology based companies. Dr. Mowry has performed both fundamental and applied research as well as the engineering required to transform research concepts into successful high-volume products. More recently Dr. Mowry has focused his efforts on power, power electronics, and distributed hybrid alternative energy systems which find use in industry and in developing countries. His concern for the environment and the energy future of civilization has resulted in Dr. Mowry leading student project teams into countries such as Moldova, Tanzania, and Uganda where hybrid energy systems have been deployed -- all for the common good. This work has also resulted in multiple patents for startup companies in the hybrid power systems and portable biodiesel production space. He also serves as the director of both the Renewable Energy and Alternatives Laboratory (REAL) and the MSEE program - which has a power emphasis.
Professor and Program Director, Renewable Energy and Alternatives Laboratory (REAL)
University of St. Thomas, St Paul, MN
Dr. Greg Mowry came to the University of St. Thomas in 2003 with 25 years of bleeding-edge engineering, research, and product development experience in nanotechnology based companies. Dr. Mowry has performed both fundamental and applied research as well as the engineering required to transform research concepts into successful high-volume products. More recently Dr. Mowry has focused his efforts on power, power electronics, and distributed hybrid alternative energy systems which find use in industry and in developing countries. His concern for the environment and the energy future of civilization has resulted in Dr. Mowry leading student project teams into countries such as Moldova, Tanzania, and Uganda where hybrid energy systems have been deployed -- all for the common good. This work has also resulted in multiple patents for startup companies in the hybrid power systems and portable biodiesel production space. He also serves as the director of both the Renewable Energy and Alternatives Laboratory (REAL) and the MSEE program - which has a power emphasis.
Rao Konidena
President
Rakon Energy LLC
Rao Konidena is President of Rakon Energy, a firm which provides wholesale energy market expertise to distribution system experts focusing on energy storage and distributed energy resources. Prior to Rakon, Rao was Principal Advisor-Policy Studies at Midcontinenty Independent System Operator (MISO). He began his work with MISO in the areas of resource adequacy and transmission planning. He and his team developed demand side and clean technology options as alternatives to generation in the 20 year long term transmission expansion planning process. Rao has an MBA from University of MN and MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) from University of Texas at Arlington. Rao is a Board member of Finnish American Chamber of Commerce - Minnesota and volunteers at City of Roseville, MN on the Finance Commission.
President
Rakon Energy LLC
Rao Konidena is President of Rakon Energy, a firm which provides wholesale energy market expertise to distribution system experts focusing on energy storage and distributed energy resources. Prior to Rakon, Rao was Principal Advisor-Policy Studies at Midcontinenty Independent System Operator (MISO). He began his work with MISO in the areas of resource adequacy and transmission planning. He and his team developed demand side and clean technology options as alternatives to generation in the 20 year long term transmission expansion planning process. Rao has an MBA from University of MN and MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) from University of Texas at Arlington. Rao is a Board member of Finnish American Chamber of Commerce - Minnesota and volunteers at City of Roseville, MN on the Finance Commission.