Mark O'Malley, Leverhulme Professor of Power Systems at Imperial College London, delves into the challenges and opportunities posed by our shift toward renewable energy. He discusses the crucial transition from synchronous generators to inverter-based resources, stressing the importance of balancing supply and demand. O'Malley identifies six key research areas that will mold future power systems, emphasizing the need for advanced inverter technologies. His insights into grid reliability and the roles of various energy sources highlight urgent considerations for a sustainable energy future.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Work on Renewables
Mark O'Malley's work on integrating renewables into power systems began around 30 years ago.
His research group in Ireland was funded by companies like Eddie O'Connor's Airtricity.
insights INSIGHT
100% Renewables: A Complex Challenge
Achieving 100% renewable energy is neither impossible nor simple, but rather a complex challenge.
The Global Power System Transformation (GPST) consortium was formed to address this challenge through global collaboration.
insights INSIGHT
Uneven Distribution of Renewables
High renewable penetration is unevenly distributed globally, with some regions experiencing the future now.
These leading regions serve as real-world test cases, revealing both challenges and solutions.
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The transformation of global power systems is accelerating as wind and solar become dominant energy sources. In the latest episode of Redefining Energy Tech, Mark O'Malley, Leverhulme Professor of Power Systems at Imperial College London, offers a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of this transition in an in-depth conversation with host Michael Barnard.
O'Malley brings decades of expertise in energy system integration, drawing from his work at McGill University, NREL, and the Energy Systems Integration Group. The conversation highlights a pivotal 2018-2019 workshop on achieving high renewable penetration, setting the stage for discussions on the shift from traditional synchronous generators to inverter-based resources.
The move to an inverter-driven grid presents new technical hurdles, particularly in balancing supply and demand while maintaining stability. O'Malley outlines six critical research areas shaping the future of power systems: inverter technologies, distributed energy resources, planning and adequacy, control room modernization, stability detection tools, and system services.
One of the most pressing challenges is optimizing the balance between grid-following and grid-forming inverters. While grid-following inverters currently dominate, grid-forming inverters hold the potential to establish voltage and frequency independently. The complexity of integrating diverse inverter designs across different manufacturers adds another layer of difficulty.
Beyond technical challenges, the discussion extends to global power system dynamics, with a focus on China’s contrasting regional power structures. The integration of AC and DC transmission, particularly in connecting renewable-rich regions to demand centers, underscores the necessity for international collaboration in solving system-wide challenges.
Key action items emerging from the discussion include updating the research agenda for power system transformation and refining the balance between inverter types in various grid configurations. As power systems evolve, the industry must prioritize research, coordination, and investment to ensure stability and reliability in a renewable-driven future.
Listen to the full conversation on Redefining Energy Tech for an in-depth exploration of these critical issues shaping the next era of energy systems.
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