Electricity System Reliability Model

The DOE and other government entities have a need to quantitatively assess the impacts of new technologies on the economic, reliability, environmental, and security-related performance of the national electricity transmission and generation grid. This project will develop an analytical model of the interaction of the various components of the electrical grid, providing an accurate representation of all resources and the constraints imposed upon them. The resources will include generating resources, transmission lines, and consumers. Constraints will include economic and environmental restrictions on generation, thermal, voltage, and stability limits associated with transmission lines, and the seasonal and economic elasticity associated with consumers. Phase I will develop a prototype of this analytical model based on the entire interconnection. Phase II will extend this model to all markets in the US. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to enhancing the government¿s ability to evaluate new or proposed technologies, the model should serve as a more-fully-integrated evaluation tool for Regional Transmission Operators, Independent System Operators, and other electricity market participants. The model would enable these entities to test the ramifications of implementing new market rules and operating protocols; allow developers and other direct market participants to perform cost/benefit analyses of proposed projects; and allow state regulatory agencies to assess techniques for lowering environmental impact, improving reliability, and lowering consumer costs.