Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

The current infrastructure of the distribution system owned and managed by Newmarket-Tay Powerx000D
Distribution Ltd (NTPDL) is not designed to accommodate the new emerging DC technologies. Thex000D
widespread implementation of DC technologies such as renewables, storage systems, and plug-in electricx000D
vehicles (EVs) have created a demand for more AC/DC and DC/DC conversions. The number of conversionx000D
systems will continue to escalate rapidly as additional DC technologies, such as distributed energy resourcesx000D
and modern loads, are adopted. An AC/DC hybrid infrastructure is a promising configuration for future smartx000D
grids. Such a configuration allows NTPDL distribution system to efficiently manage AC/DC distrusted energyx000D
resources and reliably deliver power to load centres, along with the resulting formation of AC/DC distributionx000D
systems. UW researchers will collaborate with NTPDL to investigate the newly structured AC/DC hybridx000D
distribution system characterized by plug-and-play features. Another important aspect NTPDL will be facing isx000D
that a significant proportion of distributed energy resources will probably be renewable and thereforex000D
intermittent in nature. The level of uncertainty increases even further when the unknown level of EV powerx000D
demand is taken into account. Both the intermittent nature of renewable energy and the random behaviour ofx000D
EV owners complicate and render more difficult the design and operation of the AC/DC distribution system.