UTSA PV Systems Integration Laboratory
Welcome to the homepage of PV Systems Integration Laboratory. Our research focuses on systems integration challenges associated with high penetration of solar into the power grid.
Associate Professor and Assistant Department Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Welcome to the homepage of PV Systems Integration Laboratory. Our research focuses on systems integration challenges associated with high penetration of solar into the power grid.
Research Thrusts
Power Converters for utility-scale solar PV
Multi-level Power Converters
Control of multi-level and multi-port power converters
Real-time simulation of power electronics
Power Hardware in the Loop (PHIL) Simulations
Intra hour solar forecasting
Quasi-static time series analysis of distribution systems with PV
No. | Year | Funding Agency | Amount | Role |
G-1 | 2016-17 | U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) – Office of Naval Research (ONR) | $280,410 | PI |
G-2 | 2013-16 | U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – EERE SunShot Initiative | $750,000 | PI |
G-3 | 2013-14 | City Public Service (CPS) Energy of San Antonio – Grid of the Future Initiative | $172,262 | Co-PI |
G-4 | 2012-13 | City Public Service (CPS) Energy of San Antonio – Utility-scale Solar Initiative | $79,000 | PI |
G-5 | 2011-12 | University of Texas at San Antonio – Seed Grant | $100,000 | PI |
G-6 | 2013-16 | Sun Edison | $150,000 | Co-PI |
G-7 | 2010-11 | City Public Service (CPS) Energy of San Antonio – Smart Grid Initiative | $250,000 | Co-PI |
G-8 | 2010-12 | Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) | $1,079,000 | Co-PI |
G-9 | 2010-13 | University of Minnesota – DOE Education Consortium | $25,000 | PI |
Grand Total | $2,605,262 |
Details of Research Projects
(G-1) Department of Defense – Office of Naval Research, “Acquisition of Real-Time Simulator for Intelligent Power Networks in Operational Energy Applications,” $280,410; Aug 2016 – Aug 2017
Abstract: This project proposes to acquire a real-time Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) Simulator system that will enable research in intelligent, adaptive and reconfigurable power networks for mobile and fixed power installations to enhance DoD mission effectiveness.
(G-2) Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) SunShot Initiative, “Diversity in Solar Talent Through Innovative Curriculum and Training: An Integrated Research and Education Approach Towards Creating Diversity and Advancing Utility-Scale Solar Technology,” $750,000; Sep. 2013 – Sep. 2016
Key contributions: The project developed an innovative electrical power conversion architecture using an N-port converter system that replaces the output 60Hz transformer with an integrated high-frequency low-weight solid-state transformer reducing power electronics and BOS costs to meet DOE SunShot goals. An integral part of this effort is to increase the diversity of students pursuing solar research, to enhance and expand the solar classroom experience and to provide extensive opportunities for solar research and internships with an expansive network of strategic partners present locally, regionally and nationally.
(G-3) City Public Service (CPS) Energy, San Antonio and the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA, “Solar Forecasting,” $172,262, Feb 2013 to Feb 2014.
Key contributions: A novel, intelligent tool for predicting solar irradiance accurately in a short time frame (from second-ahead to up to 20 minutes-ahead) to help utilities integrate renewable energy resources into the grid more reliably, from meteorological and solar irradiance data. This project resulted in two patents on short-term solar forecasting. In addition, the project developed a sky-imager, named as Macroscope for accurate mapping of clouds on an utility-scale solar plant.
(G-4) City Public Service (CPS) Energy, San Antonio and the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA, “Large Scale PV Penetration,” $79,000, Jan 2012 – Aug 2012
Key contribution: Developed several quasi-static time-series simulation models using openDSS, an open source Distribution System Simulator, to assess the impact of solar variability on the voltage profile of the distribution circuit.
(G-5) University of Texas at San Antonio Seed Grant, “Modeling Photo-voltaic systems with spatial and temporal variability for building and distribution grid integration studies,” $100,000, Sep. 2011 – Aug. 2012
Key contribution: Developed methods for integrating statistical analysis results and solar irradiance data in power system simulation software to model the effects on the distribution grid voltage. This seed funding and the resultant work on forecasting formed the basis towards funding from DOE (G-1) and CPS Energy (G-2).
(G-6) SunEdison, “UTSA-SunEdison R&D Collaboration on Cyber Security and Grid Integration,” $150,000, Jan. 2013 – Dec. 2016
Key contribution: Identified grid integration and cybersecurity research opportunities for large-scale PV power plants. Currently, the project is investigating the cyber vulnerabilities associated with smart inverters in utility-scale PV power plants.
(G-7) City Public Service (CPS) Energy, San Antonio and the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, UTSA, “Distributed and Secure Smart Grid Network,” $250,000, Jan 2010 – May 2012
Key contribution: Developed a laboratory-scale distributed generation test bed that provides a basis for test, evaluation and modeling of distributed energy system components including performance of PV systems, inverter hardware and smart grid functionalities.
(G-8) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), Texas, “Installation of Distributed Solar Energy Resources at UTSA campus with Sensor Network Monitoring and Control,” $1,080,000, Mar. 2010 – Dec. 2011
Key contribution: Designed and developed an innovative functional 170kW PV system specifically in the areas of power inverter, electrical configuration and sensors deployment that is saving energy costs and most importantly, is providing a research test-bed for solar research community at UTSA. In addition, developed the configuration of the high-resolution sensor network that allows the right data to be captured for effective monitoring and future solar resource assessment.
(G-9) University of Minnesota, Department of Energy (DOE) education Consortium, “A Nationwide Consortium of universities to revitalize electric power engineering education by state-of-the-art laboratories,” $25,000, Jul. 2010 – Jul. 2013
Key contribution: Dr. Krishnaswami, as an active member of the nationwide consortium has contributed to the development of new experiments on power electronics teaching laboratories in an effort to reform electric power engineering education nationwide.
H. Krishnaswami, “Advances in the Electric Power Engineering Curriculum at UTSA,” GridED Tech Transfer Workshop, Dallas, TX, April 2017.
H. Krishnaswami, UVIG workshop on variable generation forecasting applications to utility planning and operations, “Distributed Power Forecasting”, UVIG, Denver, CO. (February18, 2015).
H. Krishnaswami, “N-port converter architecture for large-scale PV plants,” US Department of Energy SunShot Summit and Peer Review, May 2014
H. Krishnaswami, “Reforming power related curriculum – power electronics,” ONR/NSF Sponsored Workshop on Electric Energy Systems Curriculum for Sustainability 2-5 Feb 2012, Napa, CA, USA.
G. Trevino, C. Fronda, B. Kelley, M. Jamshidi, H. Krishnaswami and L. Shephard, “Hi-Fi PV: Advanced Data Acquisition to Enable Solar Production Forecasting,” NI Week, August, 2012.
H. Krishnaswami, “Power Electronics Teaching Lab Implementation: Barriers and Solutions,” DOE Consortium Workshop, University of Minnesota, 8-9 Aug 2011, Minneapolis, MN, USA.