From Synchronous Machines to Smart Grids with Dr. Laura Ward at RE+

Dr. Laura A. Ward is a leading contributor to the global shift from inertia-dominated, mechanically driven power systems to inverter-based, high-renewable smart grids. She bridges advanced power electronics theory with practical, data-driven roadmapping to deploy resilient microgrids at scale.

 

As the global grid pivots away from fossil generation, the industry is confronting a core question: how do we maintain stability without the physical inertia of synchronous machines? In this RE+ episode, host Sean White speaks with Dr. Laura A. Ward—IEEE Senior Member and Energy Innovator Fellow at the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), mentored by Thomas Bartholomew in the Clean Energy Division—about the transition from inertia-based power systems to “virtual” stability enabled by inverter-based resources and smart-grid controls. 

Dr. Ward breaks down the high-stakes engineering behind Grid Forming (GFM) inverters, the technical bridge that allows renewable energy to go from simply "following" the grid to actively "forming" it. Whether you are curious about the physics of droop coefficients or the policy hurdles of DC grid modernization, this conversation provides a masterclass in building a resilient, decarbonized future.

Key Insights Include:

  - The Physics of Stability: Why losing traditional synchronous machines creates a "stability gap" and how inverters fill it.
  - GFM vs. GFL: A deep dive into the technical advantages of Grid Forming over Grid Following technology.
  - Urban Infrastructure: Adopting and applying 21st-century standards (like IEEE 1547) to complex, high-density city grids.
  - Microgrid Resiliency: How autonomous control allows local grids to survive during wider system outages.

Dr. Ward’s work is anchored in her unique ability to provide insights and influence decision-making through recommendations on best practices. While many focus on either the adoption of IEEE 1547-2018 or the scalability analysis of Grid-Forming inverters using software—work she did under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University—Dr. Ward has unified them through the validation of the scalable Self-synchronized Universal Droop Controller (SSUDC), providing a mathematical and practical foundation for a carbon-neutral grid.

Dr. Ward’s influence is solidified by her rigorous data-driven approach, featured in major repositories and journals:

  - OSTI Office of Scientific and Technical Information (Department of Energy): Modeling and Evaluation of Microgrids with Grid-Forming Inverter Technology (Focus on SSUDC algorithms). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052148 
  - Technical Roadmaps: Authoring the transition strategies for DOEE and utilities moving from 20th-century synchronous machine reliance to 21st-century power electronics. ArcGIS StoryMap technical report:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cca0d8ca348c452787e70759035aaa97

 

Connect with Dr. Ward:

Professional: www.linkedin.com/in/drlaura-ward

Research: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4550-1581  

Public Engagement: @stem.laurandre (Instagram) 

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

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