Tracking Future Virtual Water in the United States Electricity Sector
Despite an increase in future electricity demands, virtual water trading in the U.S. electricity sector is expected to decline as renewable energy expands.
Hydropower
PNNL is working to advance hydropower capabilities for the nation’s grid while supporting the environmentally sound deployment and operation of hydropower around the world.
Water + Hydropower Planning
PNNL is developing modeling tools to predict and evaluate water characteristics like temperature and flow, impacting hydropower generation, flexibility, and operations.
Pumped Storage Hydropower
PNNL researchers are working on efforts that overcome barriers and enhance the capabilities of existing and future pumped storage hydropower facilities.
Hydropower Cybersecurity and Digitalization
Cybersecurity experts at PNNL helping to protect valuable hydropower resources during the transition to a digitalized world.
Hydropower and the Electric Grid
PNNL provides analytical tools to manage hydropower costs effectively and efficiently in real time.
Environmental Performance of Hydropower
PNNL researchers are advancing hydropower through research and innovation to improve fish passage, turbine design and evaluation, and the regulatory process.
Harmonizing and Analyzing Multi-Sectoral Dynamics at Flexible Spatial Scales
A team of researchers led by PNNL scientists have developed an open-source modeling platform, called Metis, that combines global human and Earth system dynamic tools with local datasets.
Emergency Response
Widespread power outages have shut down businesses, disrupted the lives of millions of people, and cost the economy millions of dollars. In nationally declared emergencies like natural disasters or attacks that affect electricity delivery, the U.S. Department of Energy is responsible for coordinating government and private sector response and recovery efforts. The goals are to reduce the magnitude and duration of disruptive events, keep critical functions operating despite shocks, manage disruptions as they unfold, and get back to normal as quickly as possible. As a national laboratory in service to the nation, PNNL is called upon to support grid-related emergency response. PNNL develops tools to help the energy sector better anticipate and protect against emergencies, as well as respond when they do happen. When Disaster Strikes When requested by officials from DOE, trained responders from PNNL travel to emergency sites to support recovery efforts. Where power is lost, such as with downed transmission lines or faulty backup generators, the goal is to restore electricity to the most critical operations as quickly and safely as possible. In such cases, PNNL staff may work in centralized emergency response centers, communicating with utility workers and other responders in the field about the status and actions regarding energy infrastructure. Extreme weather is the top contributor to severe grid outages. During and after weather emergencies, a PNNL software tool is helping entities understand what infrastructure has been damaged, so repairs can be located and prioritized. The Automated Damage Assessment tool detects and displays damaged areas using remote sensing imagery and meteorological data. It looks for flooded area definition, rubble, land-cover changes, and damage from tornadoes and ice storms. The results, for example, can show areas of a utility’s territory that have been damaged by high winds, that are flooded and inaccessible, or have damaged vegetation, indicating downed lines from fallen trees. Anticipating and Protecting Against Emergencies Utilities need more effective ways to anticipate potential energy disruptions and stop them from surging into widespread catastrophes. PNNL’s advanced software tools are helping utilities keep the grid stable under challenging conditions. For example, utilities have used PNNL’s Dynamic Contingency Analysis Tool to understand power instability during extreme events. The software enables operators to see and reinforce weak spots on the grid to stop cascading power losses or blackouts. Agencies and utilities have also used this tool to prioritize restoration and improvement investments for resiliency. PNNL’s Mode Meter tool identifies electromechanical oscillation modes that help operators understand where to take remedial action when a power system approaches unstable conditions. The Shared Perspectives tool enables electric utilities in different service areas to see a combined view of what’s happening in real time, thus accelerating operator response. Other PNNL-developed software shows whether microgrids can survive with their current generation and load mix under extreme scenarios. Cybersecurity attacks could disrupt energy services. PNNL works with government and industry on new ways to thwart constantly evolving attacks; see more information.
Exercise Examines Financial Sector Resilience
PNNL researchers helped design and conduct an international exercise hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Finland to help improve financial sector resilience.