Summary Report on the DOE Workshop On a Systems-driven Approach To Inverter Research and Development

..........................................................................................................1 1 Executive Summary.......................................................................................2 2 Introduction....................................................................................................5 3 Workshop Goals and Targets ........................................................................8 3.1 Goals ......................................................................................................8 3.2 Targets ...................................................................................................8 4 Workshop Participants...................................................................................9 5 Workshop Speakers ....................................................................................11 6 Workshop Facilitation ..................................................................................12 7 Workshop Organization ...............................................................................13 7.1 The Workshop Presentation Background .............................................13 7.2 The Workshop Presentations Overview ...............................................14 7.3 The Workshop Breakout Sessions .......................................................16 8 Narrative of the Systems Driven Approach..................................................17 8.1 What is the “Systems Driven Approach?” .............................................17 8.2 What Is The Value of a “Systems-Driven Approach?” ..........................18 8.3 How a Systems-Driven Approach Will Be Used in Solar Energy Technologies Programs ..................................................................................18 8.4 The Systems-driven Approach Applied to a 5-year Plan ......................19 9 The Workshop Presentations.......................................................................20 9.1 The Systems-driven Approach to Inverter R&D....................................20 9.2 Improving Technology Development Through Systems Integration and Math-based Tools............................................................................................21 9.3 Overview of Converters, Power Electronics Status, Markets................23 9.4 Inverter User Requirements..................................................................27 9.4.1 Photovoltaic Inverter Needs (Michael Johnston) ...........................27 9.4.2 Electric Vehicle Inverter Technologies (Jon Lutz)..........................28 9.4.3 Integrated Power Systems (Fred Flett)..........................................29 9.4.4 Energy Storage Inverter Needs (Ray Hudson) ..............................30 9.5 DOE Inverter R&D Programs................................................................32 9.5.1 Solar Energy Technologies Program Inverter R&D (Dan Ton) ......32 9.5.2 Energy Storage, A Market for Power Electronics (Imre Gyuk).......34 9.5.3 Update on Optically Interconnected Inverter System (Paul Duncan). ......................................................................................................35 9.5.4 FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Advanced Power Electronics Overview (Bill Kramer) ..............................................................37 9.5.5 Oakridge National Laboratory Power Electronics Research for DER Utility Interfaces (Don Adams) .....................................................................38 9.5.6 Inverter Manufacturing Research “Photovoltaic Manufacturing R&D” (Dave Mooney) ............................................................................................40 9.6 University Perspectives ........................................................................41 9.6.1 Perspectives on Inverter Developments (Dushan Boroyevich)......41 9.7 Summary of Presentations Content......................................................42 10 Breakout Sessions ...................................................................................50 10.1 What Is Needed?..................................................................................50 10.1.1 High Reliability Group “Markets and Applications” Brainstorming Topics ......................................................................................................50 10.1.2 High Reliability Group “Systems and Subsystems” Brainstorming Topics ......................................................................................................51 10.1.3 High Reliability Group “Components and Materials” Brainstorming Topics ......................................................................................................52 10.1.4 Low Cost Group “Markets and Applications” Brainstorming Topics... ......................................................................................................52 10.1.5 Low Cost Group “Systems and Subsystems” Brainstorming Topics.. ......................................................................................................53 10.1.6 Low Cost Group “Components and Materials” Brainstorming Topics ......................................................................................................54 10.1.7 Graphic Representations of the Priority Topics .............................55 11 Summary of Findings ...............................................................................59 11.1 Inverter Research and Development Needs.........................................59 11.1.1 Needs and Goals for Residential Inverters ....................................59 11.1.2 Needs and Goals for Commercial Inverters...................................60 11.1.3 Needs and Goals for Utility Inverters .............................................61 11.1.4 Needs and Goals for Off-grid Inverters..........................................61 11.1.5 Needs and Goals for Village Power Inverters................................61 11.2 Needs for Leapfrog Technology Advances...........................................62 11.3 Needs for Modeling ..............................................................................62 11.4 Parking Lot Issues ................................................................................62 12 Bibliography .............................................................................................63 Appendix A Participants in the DOE Workshop on a Systems-driven Approach to Inverter Research and Development .............................................................68 Appendix B List of Questions Asked of Workshop Participants With a Summary of Answers Provided by the Participants.............................................................71 Appendix C Final Agenda for the DOE Workshop for a Systems-driven Approach to Inverter Research and Development ..............................................82 Appendix D Glossary of Terms........................................................................87

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