LARC Monthly Membership Meeting
This is a meeting you don't want to miss! Eric Fournier, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at the UCLA California Center for Sustainable Communities will be providing an informational primer on the electric grid. The information will be tailored for distributed energy advocates and others working in this field. Come learn from one of the region's experts and ask all the questions you have about how the grid works. More information on the talk and Dr. Fournier is below.
The Grid: An Informational Primer for Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Advocates
Introduction and Overview: Discuss major grid infrastructure components and network topology. Discuss basic scientific and engineering concepts relating to the large scale generation an distribution of alternating current electric power.
Power Quality Issues: Discuss the relationship between real, reactive, and apparent power. Discuss the role of reactive power in the distribution of electricity on the existing grid. Discuss the effects of reactive power supply deficits on grid frequency, voltage, and apparent power levels. Discuss different potential solutions available to resolve power quality issues introduced by increased levels of DRE penetration.
Power Quantity Issues: Discuss the intermittency characteristics of different DRE generation technologies. Discuss the different potential solutions available for storing intermittently generated power. Discuss the different physical and performance characteristics of these various storage solutions. Discuss the mapping of different storage solutions to the need for different energy system services.
Eric Fournier, PhD
Dr. Fournier's specialty is in the application of quantitative geographic methods to the study of regional energy and water system dynamics. His current research focus is on the identification of potential vulnerabilities to the electric power grid in Southern California stemming from the interacting effects of global climate change, electrification of the automotive transportation fleet, and increased adoption of distributed renewable energy generation technologies. Eric has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Bucknell University, a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Yale FES, a Master’s degree in Geography UCSB, and a PhD in Environmental Informatics UCSB’s Bren School
Parking/Transportation: Parking is available on-site in the Metro garage, $2/hr or $6 unlimited. Alternatively, public transport is convenient, and Union Station is steps away.