The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has launched a collaborative initiative to develop standard functions and a standard language for grid integration of smart solar and storage inverters. To move this forward, EPRI is conducting research that is analyzing the effects of advanced voltage control strategies on real distribution systems. The specific focus of this analysis is on the use of smart inverters to provide optimized volt/var support. Preliminary results of this research indicate that a utility could incorporate up to twice the amount of photovoltaic (PV) power into a distribution circuit.
In mid 2009, EPRI worked with the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Solar Electric Power Association to launch a collaborative initiative to develop standard functions and a standard language for grid integration of smart solar and storage inverters. The initiative was designed around an open process and a large interest group became engaged, including inverter manufacturers, system integrators, research organizations and utilities.