Microgrid Phase II Project Progress

Can microgrids improve energy resilience?

Since microgrids are not the only way to enhance energy resilience, communities may want to consider alternate resilience investment options, including hardening existing transmission and distribution systems, weatherizing power generation sources, and building additional distribution systems to provide energy supply redundancy.

What are advanced microgrids?

Advanced microgrids enable local power generation assets—including traditional generators, renewables, and storage—to keep the local grid running even when the larger grid experiences interruptions or, for remote areas, where there is no connection to the larger grid.

How can microgrids improve the reliability of distribution and transmission systems?

One approach to producing this technology is to demonstrate how microgrids, especially networked microgrids, can help to improve the reliability of distribution and transmission systems by providing them with reserves, i.e., capacity reserve, operational reserve, regulation reserve, etc.

What is a microgrid planning capability?

Planning capability that supports the ability to model and design new microgrid protection schemes that are more robust to changing conditions such as load types, inverter-based resources, and networked microgrids.

How long will OE microgrid R&D program last?

This white paper describes the program vision, objectives, and research and development (R&D) targets in 5 to 10 years for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) Microgrid R&D Program.

What are the enabling activities and developments in microgrids?

These enabling activities and developments are outlined here. Advanced smart grid devices. Over the next 5-10 years, it is expected that vendors will continue to introduce smart devices, such as software-defined switches and controllers, which will be used to improve the utility of microgrids.