Michael Enescu

Fires caused by electric grid failures are increasing at an alarming rate, with complex problems involving local and global factors such as rapid weather changes or failing infrastructure unable to keep up with power fluctuations. To deal with climate change, green power is rapidly coming online, but accepting renewables into the grid creates complex issues with reverse power flows. The Napa fires last year, and perhaps the recent Camp Fire, may have been ignited by such power fluctuations. What the future of energy adaptive networks holds and the role of open collaboration to prevent the next catastrophic disaster. This presentation will describe Project EAN-Caltech use case with utility companies in Southern California to identify potential use of real time DER data to predict reactive power fluctuations and protect smart grid infrastructure.