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Understanding utility-scale solar and storage operations and maintenance cost drivers

In this pv magazine Webinar, leaders from U.S. national laboratories will share data collected on factors and drivers of operations and maintenance (O&M) costs in utility-scale solar and energy storage systems. We will review how particular storage technologies were selected, O&M data collection processes, and ongoing challenges in this space.

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Results from 14 interviews and questionnaires representing over 50 MW of installed battery capacity will be presented. The work enables the national labs to improve our collective understanding of operations and maintenance considerations of PV plus storage at utility-scale sites.

Joining us for discussion and insights are Andy Walker, senior research fellow at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Jal Desai, modelling and analysis, NREL, Ammar Qusaibaty, technology manager & senior advisor, department of energy at Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Nicole Jackson, technical staff, energy water systems integration at Sandia National Laboratories.

pv magazine Webinar content:

  • Strategies to anticipate performance issues and O&M costs
  • Set expectations of battery replacement intervals
  • Receive an overview of Solar Energy Technology Office (SETO) goals and plans
  • Q&A

Questions can be submitted beforehand in the comments window when registering or in the chat during the live webinar. Ryan Kennedy, editor at pv magazine USA, will be the moderator of this webinar.

Registration for this pv magazine Webinar is free of charge. 

Speakers

Andy Walker | Senior Research Fellow, NREL

Dr. Walker is Senior Research Fellow at National Renewable Energy Laboratory where he advises the Energy Systems Integration Directorate on Research Priorities and helps Federal agencies and Corporations plan their approach to Renewable Energy. He has BS MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, is a Registered Professional Engineer and is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. He also teaches energy related courses as an adjunct professor at Colorado School of Mines.

Jal Desai | Researcher, NREL

Jal Desai is a member of the Modeling & Analysis Group within the Accelerated Deployment and Decision Support (ADDS) Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Jal has been at NREL for over six years now. He works on a variety of domestic and international projects at NREL in varying capacities, such as technical lead, project manager, and technical member. He provides technical assistance to local communities and federal clients through renewable energy feasibility studies. He is also involved in building energy modeling, energy policy, grid optimization, and techno-economic analysis studies. Jal Desai holds M.S. in Energy Science Technology and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Nirma University of Technology.

Nicole Jackson | Technical Staff, Energy Water Systems Integration, Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Nicole D. Jackson is a technical staff member in Sandia National Laboratories’ Energy Water Systems Integration Department. She received her B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering as well as M.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a M.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech. Her expertise centers on using climate and weather data to quantify exposure and impacts from extreme weather events such as flooding, droughts, and wildfires to energy systems and their operations with a focus on photovoltaics, hydropower, and the grid at large.

Ammar Qusaibaty | Technology Manager & Senior Advisor, Department of Energy SETO

Dr. Ammar Qusaibaty has more than 20 years of experience in designing and managing innovative business strategies and models in diverse sectors: energy, information technology, finance, and public services. Ammar currently supports the Strategic Analysis and Institutional team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). He co-leads the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program and manages a wide range of research and development projects with national labs such as the Renewable Energy National Lab and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Ammar holds a Ph.D. from the University of Paris I in Cognitive Informatics, an M.S. from the University of Oxford in Abstract Mathematics, and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Moderators

Ryan Kennedy | Editor, pv magazine USA

Ryan joined pv magazine in 2021, bringing experience from a top residential solar installer, and a U.S.-based inverter manufacturer. He holds a degree in Management with a certification in Sustainable Business Practices from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is currently pursuing a Master of Energy and Environmental Management degree at the University of Connecticut.

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