Systems Integration

Systems integration research in the U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Energy Systems Office (IESO) supports technologies and solutions that enable solar grid integration while ensuring the reliability, resilience, and security of the electric power system. These research, development, and demonstration activities address the key technical challenges in power system planning and operations, solar forecasting and variability management, control optimization, system protection and stabilities, energy storage integration, power electronics, real-time situational awareness, and cybersecurity. In addition, IESO supports the development of industry standards and best practices on interconnection requirements, testing, and validation for solar systems on the bulk power grid as well as the distribution grid. Learn more about how solar energy integrates with our nation’s electric grid.

In September 2021, DOE released the Solar Futures Study, a report that explores the role of solar energy in achieving these goals as part of a decarbonized U.S. electric grid. Learn more about IESO’s goals. 

Within IESO's systems integration research area, efforts are focused on several topics. Learn more about them below.

IESO funding for systems integration research helps to develop new opportunities for solar to not only supply electricity generation, but also provide grid services and real-time control responses that are essential for safe and reliable grid operations, and can even help to restart segments of the distribution system if the grid goes down. Projects in this research area are managed by the systems integration team. Learn more about IESO’s funding programs and current funding opportunities. Reports resulting from research projects can be found on the Office of Science and Technical Information (OSTI) website.