Ep 41: Batteries, Inertia & the Modern Grid: Integration of Renewable Energy

01/10/25 • 56 min

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, host Christoph Bruhn and co-hosts Russell Hamilton and Prahlad Shivshankar sit down with Michael Carlson, EVS' Director of Power Studies, to explore the evolving world of renewable energy. Michael shares insights from his extensive experience in wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), discussing the grid's shift from centralized to distributed generation.

Key topics include the challenges of interconnection, the role of protection coordination, and the potential of long-duration BESS to transform renewables into firm energy sources. Michael also highlights the need for grid upgrades, innovations in HVDC transmission, and emerging solar technologies.

Packed with technical insights and future-forward ideas, this episode is essential for renewable energy professionals and enthusiasts. Tune in and stay informed on the industry’s exciting evolution!

Previous Episode

Ep 40: Solar Success: Scaling Teams & Delivering Success

Dive into the growth of solar engineering teams in this latest episode of Sounds of Solar! Hosts Christoph Bruhn and Prahalad Shivshankaran sit down with Raj Pawar, Director of Solar PV and Battery Storage at EVS, to explore how the company grew its solar department from 12 to 36 team members while maintaining top-tier quality and fostering a strong company culture. Raj shares his leadership strategies, including the importance of decentralized decision-making, building a leadership pipeline, and the role of standardized processes in sustaining rapid growth. Whether you’re a solar industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of scaling in a competitive industry.

Next Episode

Ep 42: Drones, LiDAR, and the Future of Solar Survey

Join us as we welcome back Scott Alwin, Survey Manager at EVS as he shares his journey from growing up in a surveying family to leading cutting-edge survey operations in the renewable energy sector. Learn how advancements in LiDAR technology and drone surveying have transformed data collection, improving efficiency and accuracy for large-scale solar projects. Scott dives into the critical role of ALTA surveys, the challenges of massive solar sites, and the future of aerial surveying—hint: it might involve helicopters! This episode is packed with insights on industry trends, surveying best practices, and the importance of embracing technology in renewable energy. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on how survey data drives successful solar development.