PNNL

The Energy System Co-Design with Multiple Objectives and Power Electronics (E-COMP) initiative at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing innovative capabilities to enable the multi-objective optimization of the design and operation of energy systems dominated by power electronics. These advancements are essential for modernizing the power grid to meet rising load demands while ensuring reliable, resilient, and affordable power delivery.

The widespread integration of power electronics-based devices introduces new challenges in maintaining the stability and reliability of interconnected energy systems. To address these challenges, E-COMP leverages a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers equipped with cutting-edge computing and testing facilities, driving innovation and securing a competitive edge for the United States in this rapidly developing field.

The Technology

As power systems incorporate increasing numbers of power electronics devices to control and convert electrical energy, along with distributed resources, decision-making around design and operation becomes pivotal for ensuring reliability, resilience, security, and affordability. E-COMP integrates decision-making processes across three main technical areas:

1. Theory and Modeling is used to understand dynamic interactions and stability boundaries in power electronics-dominated systems.
2. Multiscale Multi-Objective Co-Design algorithms can balance system design and operational while addressing multiple objectives like reliability, stability, cost, and resilience.
3. Multi-Entity Simulation platforms can be used to evaluate the system-wide impacts of locally optimized designs, informing policy and market decisions.

By integrating these capabilities, E-COMP aims to further establish PNNL as a leader in energy system co-design, positioning the Laboratory at the forefront of energy system modernization.

Use Cases

E-COMP validates its technical capabilities through use cases, which include:

• Integration of Large Generation Capacity which examines the integration of significant generation capacity into existing energy systems, including examples that assess the impact of offshore wind integration into the U.S. Western Interconnection.
• Community Energy Resilience Planning to optimize decision-making for multiple objectives and stakeholders. This use case evaluates the interconnection of communities, including meshed microgrids and new paradigms for transmission and distribution.

By delivery validated co-design models, simulation tools, and actionable insights, E-COMP empowers energy stakeholders to build more resilient and efficient systems.

Ready to Partner with PNNL?

A multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and professional staff from across the Laboratory develop innovative solutions to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow. 

Discover how PNNL can collaborate with you on technology development and deployment. Explore our partnership flyer to learn about partnering mechanisms or connect directly with the E-COMP initiative lead to discuss opportunities with PNNL’s power electronics modeling and simulation experts.