Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Grid Modernization

As Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) continue to grow, engineers face new challenges integrating them into a grid not originally designed for decentralized energy. This course provides a comprehensive look at DER interconnection, protection strategies, and the evolving standards like IEEE 1547. Participants will also explore grid modernization technologies, battery storage, and real-world microgrid case studies to understand the full scope of transformation in today’s power systems.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the technical and regulatory requirements for interconnecting DERs, including IEEE 1547 standards.
Analyze protection challenges and solutions associated with inverter-based resources and microgrids.
Evaluate grid modernization technologies and strategies, including battery storage and non-wires alternatives.

Who Should Attend:

Electric utility engineers involved in planning, protection, and operations.
Project managers and consultants working on DER integration or grid modernization.
Substation and distribution engineers seeking to enhance system reliability and resilience.

Course Details: RA01586-E094

Course Outline

Course overview

Overview of traditional power system operations and protection
Value of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
Impact of the DERs on power system power quality, transmission and distribution protection
Grid Modernization

Distribution System Protection and Challenges with DER Penetration

Limited fault current contribution from inverter based resources and the impact on overcurrent protection
Ground fault overvoltage on ungrounded systems
The DER’s frequency and voltage protection

Interconnection transformer and grounding

Interconnection transformer winding configurations

Impact of Renewable Generation Intermittency on System Power Quality

Impact of DER switching on/off on the power system quality
DER flicker and harmonics

IEEE 1547

An overview of the recently published IEEE 1547 standard
Standard mandates for DER capabilities i.e. voltage regulations, frequency regulations, interoperability, ride through, etc.
Performance of these capabilities and the impact on the power system
Examples of standard adoption

Non-Wires Alternatives

Evaluate the potential of non-wires alternatives to replace or defer traditional infrastructure investments.
Analyze the technical and economic aspects of deploying distributed generation as NWAs.
Understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing DG for NWAs.

Flexible Interconnection

Analyze and design flexible interconnection solutions for DG integration.
Develop control strategies and protection schemes for DG integration into flexible interconnection solutions.

Battery Energy Storage

Battery energy storage technologies
Applications of BESS in power systems, including load leveling, frequency regulation, peak shaving, and providing backup power
BESS integration with solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources

Grid Modernization

Defining grid modernization and its role in power systems
Objectives of grid modernization, including reliability, renewable integration, and energy efficiency
Key grid modernization technologies, including modern protection systems, advanced SCADA systems, and DERMS
Grid modernization challenges, including cybersecurity, financial barriers, and skill development
Case studies of successful grid modernization projects

Microgrid Case Study

Ameren Microgrid Overview
Distributed energy resources in microgrids, including rotating-machine generators, battery energy storage systems, wind, and solar
Protection of microgrids, including the challenges of microgrid protection, approaches utilizing adaptive relaying, and communications (e.g., IEC 61850 GOOSE), and protection testing
Microgrid controls, including steady state operation, transitions, and communications with microgrid assets

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

866-301-1753

608-262-1122

Lodging

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

608-441-7117

877-773-5866

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $209

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.

More Madison Lodging Options

Course Notes

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions before registering.

This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. A UW NetID is required to access the online course site. Both in-person and online students should obtain a NetID and access the Canvas course website.

Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access Canvas.

All materials for this course are digital and will be available on the Canvas course website. Access to the course materials and the webinar platform will be provided a few days before the course.

Please watch the email address you provided during registration for release dates and pre-course information. Check your spam file if you do not see emails from the "wisc.edu" addresses.

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
Babak Enayati
Vice President, Grid Integration Nexamp
Babak Enayati serves as Nexamp’s Vice President of Grid Integration. In this role, he leads a team responsible for managing renewable generation applications submitted to utilities and grid operators, ensuring strict compliance with technical and regulatory requirements.
Prior to joining Nexamp, Babak spent 14 years in the utility industry, holding various engineering and managerial roles focused on distributed energy resource (DER) interconnections. From 2022 to 2023, he served as the Director of Engineering at New Leaf Energy, where he oversaw a team providing technical support for wind, solar, and energy storage developments.
Babak is a Senior Member of IEEE and a licensed Professional Engineer in Massachusetts. He also served as Vice Chair of the IEEE 1547 and IEEE 2800 standards for interconnecting generation onto the distribution and transmission networks.
Michael Higginson
Principal Engineer
Michael Higginson serves as Principal Engineer at S&C Electric Company with over thirteen years of experience in the electric power industry. Michael holds professional engineering licenses in two states and has led power system design, consulting, and analysis for distribution systems and microgrid development, specializing in distributed resource integration, power system protection, and automation. He presently leads development of a new protective device at S&C.
Michael brings extensive experience integrating battery energy storage systems in both microgrid and grid-tied applications. He has led power system analysis and protection efforts for award-winning distribution-integrated microgrid systems and renewable generation projects. Michael currently leads development of IEEE P2030.12 Guide for the Design of Microgrid Protection Systems and led development of its predecessor, which won the 2022 IEEE PES Outstanding Working Group Recognition Award.
Michael actively contributes to IEEE Power & Energy Society and CIGRÉ organizations, earning several awards for his contributions and leadership. He authors papers on microgrid design, operation, and smart inverter system impacts on power systems, and holds patents for innovative solutions in microgrid projects.
Program Director
Shalini Bhat

Total Credits:

CEU 2,

PDH 20,

Course Administration

Fee Information

This course has two attendance options, face-to-face or online for $1895.

The Face-to-face fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials.

The Online fee covers live online instruction and course materials. Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Grid Modernization

Learning Outcomes:

Who Should Attend:

Stay Connected

Course Details: RA01586-E094

Course Outline

Course overview

Distribution System Protection and Challenges with DER Penetration

Interconnection transformer and grounding

Impact of Renewable Generation Intermittency on System Power Quality

IEEE 1547

Non-Wires Alternatives

Flexible Interconnection

Battery Energy Storage

Grid Modernization

Microgrid Case Study

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Course Administration

Fee Information

Payment Options

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Cancellation Policy

Related Courses

Past Courses

Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Grid Modernization

Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to Utility Systems

Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to Utility Systems