Stanford ENERGY - SE Smart Grid Seminar

Perspectives on Electric Vehicles and Grid Integration | Muratori | Smart Grid Seminar

The imperative for strong and rapid emissions reductions to mitigate global warming and enhance air quality necessitates a transition to net-zero emissions. This shift requires significant changes throughout the entire energy supply-demand ecosystems, tailored to various sectors. Transportation stands as the least-diversified energy sector and the largest source of U.S. GHG emissions. As the primary catalyst for vehicle decarbonization when paired with clean electricity, electric vehicles (EVs) will play a pivotal role in the future. EVs are poised to drive substantial growth in electricity demand and presents a unique opportunity to provide demand-side flexibility that is crucial for future renewable- dominated electricity systems. Smart integration of EVs can strengthen the grid, reducing costs and enhancing resilience. At NREL, laying the scientific groundwork to actualize this vision: our research is finding ways for EVs to support grid planning and operations across several timescales and to fully exploit the synergies between EVs and renewables.

Offensive and Defensive Strategies in Smart Grid Cybersecurity | Mohammadpourfard | Smart Grid

In this talk we will delve into the intricate world of cybersecurity within smart grid systems, focusing on both defensive and offensive methodologies. The smart grid, integral to modern power systems, faces unique challenges due to its complex network architecture and the integration of renewable energy sources. As these grids become increasingly digitized, the need for robust cybersecurity strategies becomes paramount. The lecture will begin by exploring the landscape of smart grid cybersecurity, highlighting the evolving nature of threats and the criticality of safeguarding these essential infrastructures. We will examine various defensive techniques, including advanced AI/ML algorithms, intrusion detection systems, and resilience planning, that are key to defending against cyber attacks. Shifting focus, we will also discuss the less-traveled path of offensive strategies in cybersecurity – a proactive approach. This includes penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and the development of simulated attack scenarios to preemptively identify and address potential security breaches. Throughout the talk, we will emphasize the importance of a balanced approach that integrates both offensive and defensive tactics, ensuring a comprehensive security posture. The goal is to provide insights into how these strategies can be effectively implemented to protect smart grids against the ever-growing range of cyber threats.
Dr. Mostafa Mohammadpourfard specializes in Grid Cybersecurity, a multidisciplinary field he pursued jointly at Shiraz University and Arizona State University, completing his doctorate in 2018.

Real Reliability: The Value of Virtual Power | Hledik | Stanford Energy Seminar

Abstract: This presentation will introduce the concept of virtual power plants (VPPs), describe their potential for facilitating affordable decarbonization of the power sector, and address barriers to deploying VPPs at scale.
Bio: Ryan Hledik`s is a principal at the Brattle Group. Hledik specializes in regulatory and planning matters related to the emergence of distributed energy technologies.
Hledik has consulted for more than 80 clients across 35 states and nine countries. He has supported clients in matters related to energy storage, load flexibility, distributed generation, electrification, retail tariff design, energy efficiency, and grid modernization.
Hledik`s work has been cited in regulatory decisions establishing procurement targets for energy storage and demand response, authorizing billions of dollars in smart metering investments, and approving the introduction of innovative rate designs. He is a recognized voice in debates on how to price electricity for customers with distributed generation. He coauthored Saudi Arabia`s first Demand Side Management (DSM) plan, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission`s landmark study, A National Assessment of Demand Response Potential.
Hledik has published more than 25 articles on retail electricity issues and has presented at industry events throughout the United States as well as in Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Poland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. His research on the “grid edge” has been cited by Forbes, National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and in trade press such as GreenTech Media, Utility Dive, and Vox. He was named to Public Utilities Fortnightly’s Under Forty 2019 list recognizing rising stars in the industry.
Hledik received his MS in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University, where he concentrated in Energy Economics and Policy. He received his BS in Applied Science from the University of Pennsylvania, with minors in Economics and Mathematics. Prior to joining Brattle, Hledik was a Research Assistant with Stanford University`s Energy Modeling Forum and a Research Analyst at Charles River Associates.

AI-Assisted Power Grid Dispatch and Control | Di Shi | Smart Grid Seminar

This presentation explores challenges and advancements in optimizing power systems operations through Grid Mind, an innovative data-driven framework designed to enhance the integration of renewable energy sources. Employing advanced learning algorithms, this framework innovates in strategic resource allocation and control, thereby improving efficiency and reliability in power systems with a high penetration of renewables. The transformative potential of this AI-assisted technology is showcased through real-world applications, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing the complexities of modern power systems. Moreover, the talk addresses critical safety considerations and practical deployment issues, underscoring the need for robust, secure, and adaptable solutions. The capabilities of Grid Mind as a distributed, learning-based system optimized for edge devices are discussed, showcasing a significant advancement towards sustainable, safe, and efficient power system operations in an era dominated by renewable energy.
Speaker Bio
Di Shi is an Associate Professor with the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at New Mexico State University. Before academia, he founded a tech startup focusing on energy systems AI, commercialized two technologies, and founded and led the AI & System Analytics group at GEIRINA. He has also held research positions at NEC Labs, EPRI, and Arizona State University. He leads two IEEE task forces/working groups on IoT and machine learning for power systems, holds 27 patents, and serves as associate editor for several IEEE and IET transactions. He led a team to the championship of 2019 L2RPN power system AI competition. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Arizona State University and a B.S. from Xi’an Jiaotong University (in China).