Homeostatic control : economic integration of solar technologies into electric power operations and planning

Abstract

The economic and technical interfaces between the electrical utility and the distributed, nondispatchable electric generation systems are only minimally understood at the present time. This paper will discuss the economic issues associated with the interface of new energy technologies and the electric utility grid. The paper then introduces the concept of Homeostatic Control as developed by the author and others at MIT and discusses the use of such an economic concept applied to the introduction of nondispatchable technologies into the existing utility system. The paper concludes with a discussion of the transition and potential impact of a Homoeostatic Control system working with the existing electric utility system.