Electric Power Innovation for a Carbon-free Society Centre (EPICS-UK)

Electric Power Innovation for a Carbon-free Society Centre (EPICS-UK)

A part of the global centre pioneering the transition to an electricity grid powered entirely by renewable energy

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At the forefront of the global challenge to decarbonise the electric power sector lies the integration of massive amounts of variable renewable energy resources (VRE) such as wind and solar. These VREs, marked by their variable nature, diverse sizes ranging from small and distributed (e.g., roof-top solar) to gigawatt-scale (e.g., large solar and wind farms), connection to the electric grid via power electronic inverters and not synchronous machines as was the norm and near-zero marginal cost, present a paradigm shift in the century-long physical and decades-old economic principles of power grid planning and operation.

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Research

As the power grids undergo a transformative shift towards 100% renewable energy, the EPICS Centre is at the forefront, shaping the future of power grid planning and operation. This evolution demands adapting to the changing physics, economics, and regulatory frameworks, with particular focus on addressing the disruptive impact of inverter-based variable renewable energy resources. Guided by the Research Agenda of the Global Power System Transformation Consortium (G-PST), the EPICS Centre directs its efforts towards five priority research areas, or "research thrusts," to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to a grid powered entirely by renewable energy.

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