Optimal Operation of Distributed Generation and Storage Systems in Microgrids Under Real-Time Pricing Using Biogeography-Based Optimization Algorithm

The usage of thermal and electrical energy sources in the form of distributed generation sources in microgrids has increased in recent years. As a result, many techniques have been developed to evaluate the information provided by these sources. It is essential that the most effective use of these sources, as well as any electrical or thermal storage, be carried out in such a manner as to provide a satisfactory explanation for the investment, which controlling it results in a reduction in usage and also, in turn, decreases consumption throughout specific periods in addition to the proper load curve. The optimal …

Integrated probabilistic risk assessment framework for transporting microreactors with a case study for road, rail, and maritime transportation modes

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office initiated Project Pele, with the primary goal of designing, constructing, and demonstrating a prototype mobile microreactor within the next 5 years. A key consideration in deploying microreactors is the associated risks incurred during transportation. This work presents an integrated probabilistic risk assessment methodology to quantitatively assess the risks associated with the transportation of microreactors. The resulting risk insights support decision-making in the early stages of design and transportation route planning. A case study, based on a domestic route from Idaho National Laboratory to the Port of New Orleans, demonstrates that …

Case Study: Biomethane Production at Perdue Farms

Perdue Farms, a U.S. food and agriculture company, collaborated with RTC Solutions Provider GreenGas USA to produce renewable natural gas (RNG), also known as biomethane, from methane captured from the wastewater system at Perdue’s facility in North Carolina. Completed in 2023, the project installed covers over Perdue’s existing anaerobic wastewater lagoons to collect the emitted biogas, upgrade it to RNG, and transport and inject the RNG into a local natural gas pipeline system. The project produces over 150,000 MMBtu of biomethane per year and reduces Perdue’s emissions by more than 100,000 MTCO2e annually, in addition to mitigating air and water …

Factors Influencing Recent Trends in Retail Electricity Prices in the United States

This study analyzes the primary drivers of recent state-level trends in U.S. retail electricity prices. We summarize pricing trends, explore descriptive relationships, and employ regression models to quantify the influence of various factors. Although the recent national rise in retail prices has largely tracked inflation, state-level trends vary widely. We identify a number of factors that explain trends in subsets of states. States with the greatest price increases typically exhibited shrinking customer loads—partially linked to growth in net metered behind-the-meter solar—and had renewables portfolio standards (RPS) in concert with relatively costly incremental renewable energy supplies. By contrast, recent utility-scale wind …

High-Temporal-Resolution Dataset of Uni-, Didirectional, and Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging Profiles

The transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) introduces challenges for power grid integration, particularly due to the growing demand for charging infrastructure. To support research on smart charging strategies and bidirectional charging applications, this study presents an open-access dataset containing 142 EV charging profiles obtained in a laboratory environment. The dataset includes static charging and discharging scenarios alongside dynamic profiles where the charging power is varied over time. These scenarios are applied to eight commercially available EVs, three of which support bidirectional charging. It features tests in alternating current and direct current charging modes and includes high-resolution time series of grid …

New Flexible Bidirectional Converter for Electric Vehicle Substations Connecting Microgrids

This paper proposes a flexible and energy-efficient power conversion system capable of bidirectional energy flow between AC and DC microgrids, as well as electric vehicles (EVs). The converter is designed by integrating fundamental DC/DC topologies-namely Push-Pull and Half-Bridge converters-with a multi-level DC/AC inverter. It supports multiple operating modes, enabling seamless integration of both fixed and mobile EV charging stations through dedicated DC/DC charging interfaces tailored to various system configurations. A hierarchical multi-agent control strategy is employed, with clearly defined roles for each converter control component to enable coordinated operation across diverse use cases. Simulation results conducted in MATLAB demonstrate a …

Outlook for Energy Storage in PJM

This report was prepared by The Brattle Group for the U.S. Energy Storage Coalition. It is intended to be read and used as a whole and not in parts. The report reflects the analyses and opinions of the authors and does not necessarily reflect those of The Brattle Group’s clients or other consultants.…

A Global Dataset of the Cost of Capital for Renewable Energy Projects

The cost of capital (CoC) critically influences the levelized cost of renewable energy and, by extension, the global low-carbon transition. However, reliable and consistent CoC data remain scarce, limiting an appropriate reflection of CoC differences in energy system and integrated assessment models. We present a global dataset of CoC for renewable energy projects, covering 68 countries from 2010 to 2022 and focusing on three key technologies: utility-scale solar photovoltaics, onshore wind, and offshore wind. We systematically compile and standardize data from academic literature and international organizations, ensuring methodological comparability. Our dataset includes 1,429 data points, of which 366 provide nominal, …

Unequal Power Outages Induced by Natural Disasters

Natural disasters increasingly threaten energy system reliability. However, little empirical research has examined the unequal impact of such events on power outages. Here, we employ a nationwide high-frequency point-level power outage and natural disasters dataset in China, spanning from 2019 to 2021, to empirically assess the impact of natural disasters on power outages. We focus on the poverty counties, identified by the Chinese government, based on income, infrastructure, geographical location, and other criteria. We find that these impacts of natural disasters on power outage are not distributed evenly between poverty counties (5.19% and 8.96% increase in frequency and duration, respectively) …

Renewables 2025: Analysis and Forecasts to 2030

Renewables 2025 is the IEA’s main annual report on the sector. It presents the latest forecasts and analysis, based on recent policy and market developments, while also exploring key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

This year’s edition provides forecasts for the deployment of renewable energy technologies in electricity, transport and heat through 2030. It also examines notable developments in key areas of the sector, including policy changes, manufacturing trends, and the financial health of different parts of the industry.…