Research

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.