E-COMP Initiative Summary

Advancing Co-Design for a Clean and Resilient Energy Future

 

an image representing a computer chip and data flow

The Energy System Co-Design with Multiple Objectives and Power Electronics (E-COMP) initiative at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is shaping the future of energy systems by addressing the challenges posed by the rapid integration of renewable energy, systems dominated by power electronics, and decentralized generation. These advances require a rethinking of how energy systems are designed, optimized, and operated to meet the demands of a clean, resilient, and cost-effective energy future.

Our Mission

image showing two arrows pointed at drawing of power system
Illustration by Cortland Johnson

E-COMP develops and applies cutting-edge science to enable multi-objective optimization of energy systems. By leveraging new theories, modeling techniques, and simulation platforms, the initiative addresses critical gaps in our understanding of power electronics-dominated systems and their impact on stability, resilience, and operational efficiency.

Our Approach

E-COMP integrates three tightly coordinated research thrusts to deliver innovative solutions:

  1. Theory and Modeling
    • Objective: Develop foundational theory and models to characterize the stability, dynamics, and interactions of power electronics-dominated systems.
    • Key Contributions: 
      • Creation of Power Electronics Mixed Dynamics Theory, which examines the interplay between fast dynamics of power electronics and slower traditional machine dynamics to understand the stability and interactions in power systems dominated by power electronics.
      • Advanced methods like energy function-based stability analysis derives stability properties and identifies forced oscillations, and Equivalent Laplacian-based approaches, which characterize system oscillations using network-weighted matrices.
      • Parameterized models for control co-design balance accuracy and computational efficiency.
  2. Multiscale, Multi-Objective Co-Design
    • Objective: Develop co-design frameworks and algorithms that simultaneously optimize system design and operational strategies across multiple objectives and timescales.
    • Key Contributions: 
      • Hierarchical optimization techniques incorporating nested multiscale dynamics and uncertainty
      • Advanced Pareto optimization algorithms for trade-off analysis
      • Modular co-design tools enabling flexible integration with simulation environments
  3. Multi-Entity Simulation
    • Objective: Build an agent-based simulation platform to assess localized decisions' impacts on broader energy systems.
    • Key Contributions: 
      • A multi-entity simulation framework leveraging PNNL’s HELICS platform and agent-based modeling techniques
      • Evaluation of policy, market, and incentive strategies to optimize distributed energy resources
      • Use of co-simulation tools to model and simulate interconnected systems under real-world conditions

Real-World Applications

E-COMP anchors its research in practical use cases to ensure its solutions address real-world challenges. Key examples include:

  • Offshore Wind Integration: Developing co-design strategies for hybrid AC/DC systems and meshed grid configurations to enhance resilience and stability.
  • Community Energy Planning: Supporting Remote Communities on the Olympic Peninsula (RECOOP) with localized generation and storage solutions that deliver sustainable, resilient, and autonomous energy delivery.

Our Deliverables

E-COMP will establish a library of use cases, create cutting-edge modeling and simulation tools, and deliver practical outcomes, including:

  • Tools for stability characterization and optimization.
  • A flexible co-design framework to address diverse energy challenges.
  • Insights into policy and market designs for renewable energy integration.

PNNL’s Leadership

As a leader in energy system innovation, PNNL brings unmatched expertise in power systems, optimization, simulation, and cybersecurity to E-COMP. Supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, including hardware-in-the-loop testbeds and high-performance computing, PNNL collaborates with stakeholders to deliver solutions that address today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s energy landscape.

Join Us

E-COMP is more than an initiative—it’s a pathway to a sustainable and resilient energy future. Explore our research, collaborate with our experts, and see how we’re driving innovation in energy system co-design..