Renewable System Interconnection Study

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Renewable Systems Interconnection (RSI) study during the spring of 2007. This study identifies the technical and analytical challenges that must be addressed to enable high penetration levels of distributed renewable energy technologies. Since integration-related issues at the distribution system are likely to emerge first for PV technology the RSI study focuses on this area with the goal of identifying the research and development (R&D) needed to build a high-penetration renewable energy future while enhancing the operation of the electricity grid.

The RSI study consists of 15 reports that address a variety of issues:

Distributed systems technology development
Advanced distribution systems integration
System-level tests and demonstrations
Technical and market analysis
Resource assessment
Codes, standards, and regulatory implementation.

Addressing grid-integration issues is a necessary prerequisite for the long-term viability of the distributed renewable energy industry, in general, and the distributed PV industry, in particular. The RSI study is one step on this path. The DOE is also working with stakeholders to develop an R&D plan aimed at making this vision a reality.

As a result of the RSI study, the Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) program was initiated in early 2008. SEGIS is an industry-led effort to develop new PV inverters, controllers, and energy management systems that will enhance distributed PV systems. Two papers were developed. One provides the vision, objective, and scope of the SEGIS program (PDF 433 KB). The second describes augmenting the SEGIS program with energy storage (PDF 823 KB) in residential and small commercial (100kW or smaller) applications. Download Adobe Reader.

The individual RSI reports are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Renewable Systems Interconnection: Executive Summary (PDF 2.4 MB)
Distributed Photovoltaic Systems Design and Technology Requirements (PDF 505 KB)
Advanced Grid Planning and Operation (PDF 3.8 MB)
Utility Models, Analysis, and Simulation Tools (PDF 1.2 MB)
Cyber Security Analysis (PDF 1.1 MB)
Power System Planning: Emerging Practices Suitable for Evaluating the Impact of High-Penetration Photovoltaics (PDF 564 KB)
Distribution System Voltage Performance Analysis for High-Penetration Photovoltaics (PDF 540 KB)
Enhanced Reliability of Photovoltaic Systems with Energy Storage and Controls (PDF 1.4 MB)
Transmission System Performance Analysis for High-Penetration Photovoltaics (PDF 1.7 MB)
Solar Resource Assessment (PDF 1.1 MB)
Test and Demonstration Program Definition (PDF 963 KB)
Photovoltaics Value Analysis (PDF 1.3 MB)
Photovoltaics Business Models (PDF 1.0 MB)
Production Cost Modeling for High Levels of Photovoltaics Penetration (PDF 754 KB)
Rooftop Photovoltaics Market Penetration Scenarios (PDF 3.6 MB)