Abstract
The United States' decarbonization trajectories encompass new electric loads connected to the distribution grid, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps, a massive penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs), and a more active role for consumers in generating electricity, adopting and managing energy technologies, and participating in wholesale energy and reserve markets. This revolution at the edge of the power grid can increase the need for distribution network infrastructure, which already represents the largest portion of electric utility capital expenditures. To mitigate this impact, there is a need for new methodologies to better plan electric distribution grid upgrades and incentivize DER adoption in ways that defer investments. This talk will cover research on advanced distribution grid planning and DER valuation methodologies to support planning and regulatory processes.
Biography
Miguel Heleno is a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He leads R&D projects in the area of Grid Planning and Economics and manages LBNL’s research under DOE Office of Electricity Programs. Miguel is a Senior Member of the IEEE and an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Energy Markets Policy and Regulation. He holds a MSc degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Porto within the MIT Portugal Program. Miguel has extensive experience in energy systems research and innovation, both in Europe and the United States, in the areas of grid optimization and planning, power systems economics and energy policy.