Utility-Scale Solar Project Management & Interconnection Specialist Bundle
This is a bundle of these 2 courses
About this course
The ‘Utility Scale Solar Construction & Project Management’ course, taught by Andy Nyce - Director of Project Management at Erthos, will provide you with a strong understanding of what goes into designing and installing large scale solar. It’s been specifically created to ensure that folk joining the industry or looking to ‘level up’ have the knowledge necessary.
However - the completion of the solar PV facility is only one part of the puzzle! Tim Taylor, with over 30 years of experience in utility distribution systems, has created a world class course which will provide you with a knowledge base of utility distribution systems and the latest interconnection requirements including IEEE 1547-2018, for interconnecting the solar power plant to the utility grid distribution system.
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Bundle outline
2 courses • 12 modules
Course 1 •
4
modules
Utility Scale Solar Construction & Project Management
Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Introduction to the Course (17:01 minutes) Preview
- Introduction to the Course (.pdf)
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 15 assignments
Engineering and Procurement
- Engineering - Basics of Solar (14:27 minutes)
- Engineering - Basics of Solar - Quiz
- Engineering - Electrical Flow (07:32 minutes)
- Engineering - Electrical Flow - Quiz
- Engineering - Design (12:35 minutes)
- Engineering - Design - Quiz
- Design - Additional Resources & Links
- Procurement - Materials (08:35 minutes)
- Procurement - Materials - Quiz
- Materials - Additional Resources and Links
- Read the Additional Resources and Post a Question on the Discussion Board
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Basics (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Electrical Flow (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Design (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Materials (.pdf)
Module 2 • 8 assignments
Development & Owners Engineering
- Development - Early Stage (10:04 minutes)
- Development - Basics (08:43 minutes)
- A Guide for Developers and Investors (.pdf)
- Development - Pre-Execution (07:56 minutes)
- How the Inflation Reduction Act will Supercharge Solar in the US
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Early Stage (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Development (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Pre-Execution (.pdf)
Module 3 • 27 assignments
Construction
- Construction - Basics (20:24 minutes)
- Construction - Basics - Quiz
- Safety Practices
- Journey to Safety Excellence
- Construction - Mechanical (10:06 minutes)
- Construction - Mechanical - Quiz
- Mechanical - Additional Resources - Sunfolding
- Erthos - Solar, Simplified
- Construction - Electrical (06:47 minutes)
- Construction - Electrical - Quiz
- Construction - Tools & Equipment (03:36 minutes)
- Construction - Tools & Equipment - Quiz
- Construction - Quality (10:54 minutes)
- Construction - Quality - Quiz
- Quality - Additional Links and Resources
- Construction - Field Engineering (04:09 minutes)
- Construction - Field Engineering - Quiz
- Assignment - Racking Systems Analysis Template (.docx)
- Assignment - Racking Systems Analysis
- Optional - Job Hazard Analysis (.doc)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Basics (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Mechanical (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Electrical (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Tools & Equipment (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Quality (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Field Engineering (.pdf)
- Pre-Construction Checklist (.xlsx)
Module 4 • 7 assignments
Commissioning, Testing & Next Steps
- Commissioning & Testing (12:42 minutes)
- Commissioning - Quiz
- Expanding Your Opportunities (11:23 minutes)
- Additional Resources (youtube webinar)
- Additional Resource (PVTech Article) (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video (Expanding your Opportunities) (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video (Commissioning) (.pdf)
Conclusion • 6 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Join the Exclusive LinkedIn Page for Additional Connections & Discussion
- Post about your positive experience with your network!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 2 •
8
modules
Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Distribution
Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Class Launch Video (01:47 minutes)
- Course Introduction from Tim (11:44 minutes)
Module 1 • 13 assignments
Generation and Transmission Systems
The overview of Generation and Transmission systems provides context around utility-scale solar interconnections to T&D systems. This week we take a look at the different types of generation on utility systems, including central station (steam) thermal types of generation; an overview of the different types of renewables generation; and a discussion on utility transmission systems, including concepts, architectures, and operating principles.
- Lecture 1 - Electric Power Systems and Generation (19:41 minutes)
- Lecture 2 - Large Central Generating Stations (11:35 minutes)
- Lecture 3 - Other Types of Large Generating Stations (16:23 minutes)
- Read: Generation
- Watch: Hydroelectric Innovation
- Lecture 4 - Overview of DER Technologies (30:28 minutes) Preview
- Solar Power and the Electric Grid (.pdf)
- Lecture 5 - Transmission in the US and Transmission Lines (26:47 minutes)
- Read: Transmission
- Lecture 6 - Bulk Power Systems and DER (23:21 minutes)
- Read: FERC Order No. 2222
- Week 1 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Generation and Transmission Systems
Module 2 • 12 assignments
Voltage, Current, and Power Fundamentals
There are some basic electric fundamentals that anyone working with solar and utility systems needs to know. This week covers topics such as voltage, current, and power; impedance; watts, vars, and volt-amps; power factor; single-phase and three-phase circuits; and grounding.
- Lecture 1 - Basic Definitions and DC Electricity (14:18 minutes) Preview
- Read: Circuit Basics
- Read: Basic Electrical and Electronic Concepts
- Lecture 2 - Alternating Current (AC) (30:10 minutes)
- Lecture 3 - Power and Power Factor (27:45 minutes)
- Lecture 4 - Three Phase Power (28:50 minutes)
- Watch: Generation of Three-Phase Power
- Homework Problems (.pdf)
- Homework Solutions (.pdf)
- Quiz - Voltage Current and Power Fundamentals
- Week 2 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Supplemental Material on Per Unit System (.pdf)
Module 3 • 16 assignments
Distribution Systems
In the next week-and-a-half, we look at the common characteristics of North American style utility distribution systems. This knowledge is intended to give you background on the historic context of distribution systems, and why it can sometimes be challenging to connect large amounts of solar PV to it. This includes basic design and operating concepts, architectures, voltage levels, equipment, and operating principles. We'll look at the impact that distribution characteristics have on the location and quantity of solar on the system, including source impedance; radial, looped, and networked systems; minimum and peak feeder loads; feeder sectionalizing; and system stiffness.
- Lecture 1 - Overview of Utility Distribution (14:47 minutes)
- Lecture 2 - Electric Customer Loads (14:42 minutes)
- Lecture 3 - Subtransmission (13:27 minutes)
- Lecture 4 - High-Voltage Side of Substations (18:17 minutes)
- Watch: 500 kV Circuit Breaker and Disconnect Switch Operation
- Watch: Three Types of Transmission Disconnect Switches
- Lecture 5 - Distribution Substation Transformers (11:21 minutes)
- Lecture 6 - Distribution Substation Low-Side Equipment (10:49 minutes)
- Lecture 7 - Substation Protection, Control and Monitoring Equipment (19:46 minutes)
- Watch: Medium-voltage Switchgear
- Lecture 8 - Introduction to Distribution Feeders (25:20 minutes)
- Distribution Feeder Diagram (.pdf)
- Common Distribution Measurement Units and Quantities (.pdf)
- Read: T&D System (.pdf)
- Typical Electrical Drawing Symbols and Conventions
- Week 3 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
Module 4 • 17 assignments
Distribution Systems and Utility-Scale Solar PV Interconnection
In this week, we'll finish the material on distribution systems and then progress into the first part of Utility-Scale Solar PV Interconnection.
- Intro Lecture - Week 4 (02:02 minutes)
- Lecture 1 - Overhead Conductors (22:24 minutes)
- YouTube: Overhead Line Conductors
- Lecture 2 - Underground Cables and Three-Phase Transformers (19:14 minutes)
- Medium-Voltage Transformers
- Lecture 3 - Feeder Architecture (15:18 minutes)
- Lecture 4 - Distribution System Grounding (10:31 minutes)
- Solar PV Overview
- Watch: Solar PV Electric Power Generation
- Trends in Solar PV - End of 2021
- Lecture 5 - Utility-Scale Solar PV Plants and PV Plant Equipment (25:58 minutes)
- Lecture 6 - Solar PV Plant Equipment (19:12 minutes)
- Read: DC Combiner Boxes
- Transformers for Solar Farms I (.pdf)
- Transformers for Solar Farms II (.pdf)
- Week 4 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Overhead Conductors, Underground Cables, and Transformers
Module 5 • 17 assignments
Utility-Scale Solar PV Interconnection on Distribution
In this module, we start with the basics of solar PV farms on distribution, before we get into more detail in the coming weeks. We start by looking at common solar PV issues on distribution. We also look at topics such as interconnection requirements including equipment and its function, inverters and their functionality with respect to the grid, grounding, SCADA connection and communications, and transformer winding configurations.
- Intro Lecture - Week 5 (01:47 minutes)
- Lecture 1 - Solar PV Plant Layouts (18:57 minutes)
- Read: PV Power Plant AC Collection Systems (.pdf)
- Lecture 2 - Useful Metrics (09:04 minutes) Preview
- Read: Inverter Loading Ratio
- Lecture 3 - High-Penetration Solar PV and Smart Inverter Development (21:07 minutes)
- Read: Smart Inverter Benefits
- Lecture 4 - Overview of IEEE 1547-2018 (16:58 minutes)
- Read: Impacts of DER on T&D System (.pdf)
- Lecture 5 - IEEE 1547 and Frequency Requirements (12:25 minutes) Preview
- Lecture 6 - IEEE 1547 and Power Quality (05:09 minutes)
- Lecture 7 - IEEE 1547 and Interoperability (13:29 minutes)
- DNP3 Protocol
- Lecture 8 - IEEE 1547 and Certification/Testing (12:46 minutes)
- Read: Advanced Inverter Tests (.pdf)
- Example of Inverter Listing Request Instruction (.pdf)
- Week 5 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
Module 6 • 15 assignments
Distribution Voltage Regulation and Solar PV Generation
Distribution voltage control/regulation, as well as reactive power control, is one of the most important design and operating principles that a utility must consider. With the introduction of IEEE 1547-2018, solar plants are facing new voltage control requirements. During this week, we'll look at voltage requirements that utilities must provide their customers; voltage drop that occurs on distribution feeder primaries and secondaries; utility voltage control equipment; common impacts of solar installations on utility voltage supply; and possible solutions to voltage issues created by solar installations, including smart inverter controls impacting voltage and reactive power. We also discuss voltage flicker and sags, and inverter ride-through capability.
- Intro Lecture - Week 6 (14:37 minutes)
- Lecture 1 - Voltage Ranges and Voltage Drop (26:41 minutes)
- Lecture 2 - Voltage Regulators (18:15 minutes)
- Watch: Voltage Regulator Controller
- Read: Feeder Voltage Regulation (.pdf)
- Lecture 3 - Capacitors, Reactive Power, and Voltage (16:16 minutes)
- Lecture 4 - Solar PV and Feeder Voltage Profiles (15:06 minutes) Preview
- Lecture 5 - Solar PV and Voltage Variability (02:57 minutes)
- Lecture 6 - IEEE 1547 and Voltage Regulation (14:37 minutes)
- Lecture 7 - Reactive Power Control Modes (18:49 minutes)
- Read: Voltage Control and DER
- Read: IEEE 1547-2018 and Solar PV Reactive Power/Voltage Control (.pdf)
- Lecture 8 - Abnormal Operating Performance and Voltage Ride-Through (09:03 minutes)
- Voltage Control and Monitoring
- Week 6 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
Module 7 • 18 assignments
Distribution Protection and Solar PV Generation
Short-circuits and overcurrent protection is a key design consideration for utility systems, with considerations on solar plant design and operation. This week we'll look at the nature of distribution system faults, overcurrents, and key design principles including instantaneous and time-delayed tripping, reclosing, and post-fault restoration practices. We'll discuss over/under voltage and frequency events on the system, and how they impact the solar PV plant. We'll also look at the potential for unintentional islanding and ground fault overvoltages, and possible mitigation measures, including 3Vo protection and DTT (Direct Transfer Trip).
- Intro Lecture - Week 7 (03:24 minutes)
- Lecture 1 - Distribution System Faults (21:37 minutes)
- Watch: The Reason Why System Protection is Needed
- Lecture 2 - Distribution Protection Objectives (20:31 minutes)
- Lecture 3 - Relayed Circuit Breakers and Fuses (13:15 minutes)
- Watch: Operation of Explusion Fuse
- Lecture 4 - Reclosers (12:29 minutes)
- Watch: Demonstration of Recloser Features
- Watch (Optional): Reclosers Overview
- Read: Solar PV Tie Recloser
- Read: Distribution Protection Overview
- Lecture 5 - Solar PV and Distribution Protection (09:47 minutes)
- Lecture 6 - IEEE 1547-2018 and Overvoltages (14:07 minutes)
- Lecture 7 - IEEE 1547 and Islanding (13:38 minutes) Preview
- Lecture 8 - Selected Protection Requirements from Utilities (06:25 minutes)
- Read: Summary of Smart Inverters and IEEE 1547-2018 (.pdf)
- Week 7 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Quiz - Protection and Solar PV
Module 8 • 13 assignments
Hosting Capacity and Interconnection Procedures
Estimating what the impacts of new solar PV farms on distribution systems is important for utility engineers as well as developers. In this section, we look at some Hosting Capacity studies and maps which some public service commission and distribution organizations now use, some additional technical screens, and an overview of distribution interconnection procedures.
- Lecture 1 - Introduction to Hosting Capacity Analysis (15:05 minutes)
- Watch: Demonstration of a Utility's Hosting Capacity Map (26:28 minutes)
- Lecture 2 - Hosting Capacity Criteria and Thresholds (19:52 minutes)
- Read: IREC Hosting Capacity Analysis White Paper
- Lecture 3 - Solar PV Screening Ratios (12:32 minutes)
- FERC SGIP - For Generating Facilities No Larger Than 20 MW (.pdf)
- Lecture 4 - Interconnection Procedures (28:31 minutes)
- Summary of the Fast Track and Supplementary Review Process (.pdf)
- Lecture 5 - The Study Process, Including System Impact Studies (15:52 minutes)
- Read: Tips for Successful Interconnection of Small Renewables (.pdf)
- IREC Model Interconnection Agreement (.pdf)
- Week 8 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Utility-Scale PV Resources (.pdf)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Optional: Get IEEE Continuing Education Credit for Completing this Course (.docx)
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructors
-
Andy Nyce
Sr. Director of Project Management, Erthos Inc.I'm Andy Nyce - originally from New Zealand, but I've spent the last nine years in the United States in a range of engineering, construction, project management and quality control roles in the large scale renewables industry. I've been directly involved in over 2GW of execution at every level of installation, management and commissioning. I'm currently the Sr.... Learn more
-
Tim Taylor
Owner and Managing Director, Electric Distribution AcademyTim is Owner and Managing Director of Electric Distribution Academy and has over 30 years of experience in distribution system engineering. He’s led and participated in many projects with many North American utilities and has also worked in Europe and Latin American. In addition to papers, articles, and conference presentations, he has served as an instructor for... Learn more