Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Grid Modernization

Course overview

• Overview of traditional power system operations and protection
• Value of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
• Impact of the DERs on power system power quality, transmission and distribution protection
• Grid Modernization

 Distribution System Protection and Challenges with DER Penetration

• Limited fault current contribution from inverter based resources and the impact on overcurrent protection
• Ground fault overvoltage on ungrounded systems
• The DER’s frequency and voltage protection

Interconnection transformer and grounding

• Interconnection transformer winding configurations

Impact of Renewable Generation Intermittency on System Power Quality

• Impact of DER switching on/off on the power system quality
• DER flicker and harmonics

IEEE 1547

• An overview of the recently published IEEE 1547 standard
• Standard mandates for DER capabilities i.e. voltage regulations, frequency regulations, interoperability, ride through, etc.
• Performance of these capabilities and the impact on the power system
• Examples of standard adoption 

Non-Wires Alternatives

• Evaluate the potential of non-wires alternatives to replace or defer traditional infrastructure investments.
• Analyze the technical and economic aspects of deploying distributed generation as NWAs.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing DG for NWAs.

Flexible Interconnection

• Analyze and design flexible interconnection solutions for DG integration.
• Develop control strategies and protection schemes for DG integration into flexible interconnection solutions.

Battery Energy Storage

• Battery energy storage technologies
• Applications of BESS in power systems, including load leveling, frequency regulation, peak shaving, and providing backup power
• BESS integration with solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources

Grid Modernization

• Defining grid modernization and its role in power systems
• Objectives of grid modernization, including reliability, renewable integration, and energy efficiency
• Key grid modernization technologies, including modern protection systems, advanced SCADA systems, and DERMS
• Grid modernization challenges, including cybersecurity, financial barriers, and skill development
• Case studies of successful grid modernization projects

Microgrid Case Study

• Ameren Microgrid Overview
• Distributed energy resources in microgrids, including rotating-machine generators, battery energy storage systems, wind, and solar
• Protection of microgrids, including the challenges of microgrid protection, approaches utilizing adaptive relaying, and communications (e.g., IEC 61850 GOOSE), and protection testing
• Microgrid controls, including steady state operation, transitions, and communications with microgrid assets

Registration Date/Time:
9/30/2025 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 9/30/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/1/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/2/2025  8:00am - 3:00pm Central Time

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions before registering.

This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. A UW NetID is required to access the online course site. Both in-person and online students should obtain a NetID and access the Canvas course website.

Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access Canvas.

All materials for this course are digital and will be available on the Canvas course website. Access to the course materials and the webinar platform will be provided a few days before the course.

Please watch the email address you provided during registration for release dates and pre-course information. Check your spam file if you do not see emails from the "wisc.edu" addresses.

• Program Director

  Shalini Bhat

• Instructors

  Babak Enayati

  Vice President, Grid Integration Nexamp

  Babak Enayati received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University, USA in 2009. He joined Luma Energy in 2023 as the Senior Director of Grid Modernization. Babak and his team are responsible for creating and implementing a strategy to modernize the Puerto Rico electric power system to meet the reliability and clean energy goals. Prior to joining Luma Energy, Babak worked at New Leaf Energy as the Director of Engineering, where his team provided engineering services for the development of solar, wind and energy storage facilities. Prior to joining New Leaf Energy, Babak worked in the utility industry for 13 years holding various grid modernization engineering and managerial positions.
  
  He joined Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2006 and currently is a Senior IEEE Member. Babak currently serves as the Vice President of Education on the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Governing Board. He is the current chair of the IEEE PES Transmission Subcommittee. Babak serves as the Vice Chair of the IEEE Std 1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems, and IEEE P2800 Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Inverter-Based Resources Interconnecting with Associated Transmission Electric Power Systems. Babak is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Massachusetts.

• Instructors

  Babak Enayati

  Vice President, Grid Integration Nexamp

  Babak Enayati received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University, USA in 2009. He joined Luma Energy in 2023 as the Senior Director of Grid Modernization. Babak and his team are responsible for creating and implementing a strategy to modernize the Puerto Rico electric power system to meet the reliability and clean energy goals. Prior to joining Luma Energy, Babak worked at New Leaf Energy as the Director of Engineering, where his team provided engineering services for the development of solar, wind and energy storage facilities. Prior to joining New Leaf Energy, Babak worked in the utility industry for 13 years holding various grid modernization engineering and managerial positions.
  
  He joined Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2006 and currently is a Senior IEEE Member. Babak currently serves as the Vice President of Education on the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Governing Board. He is the current chair of the IEEE PES Transmission Subcommittee. Babak serves as the Vice Chair of the IEEE Std 1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems, and IEEE P2800 Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Inverter-Based Resources Interconnecting with Associated Transmission Electric Power Systems. Babak is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Massachusetts.

  Michael Higginson

  Assistant Manager Engineering Services

  Michael Higginson is a Principal Engineer at S&C Electric Company with over ten years of experience in the electric power industry.  Michael has lead power system design, consulting, and analysis for distribution systems and microgrid development.  His work has focused on distributed resource integration, power system protection, and automation.  Michael has led power system analysis and protection efforts for award-winning distribution-integrated microgrid systems and renewable generation projects. He is active in the IEEE Power & Energy Society and CIGRÉ organizations, receiving several awards for his contributions and leadership. He has authored several papers on microgrid design, operation, and smart inverter system impacts on power systems.  Michael is currently leading the development of IEEE P2030.12 Guide for the Design of Microgrid Protection Systems and led the development of its predecessor which won the 2022 IEEE PES Outstanding Working Group Recognition Award.  He has been awarded patents based on innovative solutions applied in microgrid projects. 

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

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Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
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Military

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Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.