RD³ Overview

Advanced Distribution Technologies & Operating Concepts

Interconnection technologies, distribution substation/equipment advancements, advanced system operating concepts (intentional islanding, Microgrids, etc.) 

This Program Area aims at developing advanced modular plug-and-play interconnection and control technologies for integrating distributed energy resources (DER) with the electric power system and local loads for seamless operations. In addition, organizational and technical support will be provided to establish the IEEE 1547 series of interconnection standards and to develop international standards via the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 8 (IEC TC 8), System Aspects of Electrical Energy Supply.

Microgrids, a primary sub-area of this Program area, are electricity and thermal energy delivery systems that include a collection of loads and distributed energy resources that operate in parallel with a larger power delivery system.

   Microgrid Reources

Activities in this Program Area supported by the Electric Distribution Program and its collaborating partners include the following:

   Current Projects

Standards Development and Validation
National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Interconnection Testing at NREL
National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Innovative Distributed Power Interconnection and Control Systems
Gas Technologoy Institute and Encorp 

Distribution Utility Integration Test (DUIT)
Distributed Utility Associates 

Distributed Energy Systems Certification, Testing, and Validation
Concurrent Technologies Corp. 

Micro-Distributed Generation Prototype in Vermont
Northern Power Systems 

Navajo Electrification Demonstration Project
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority 

Natural Energy Laboratory in Hawaii to Continue Development and Deployment of Distributed Energy Systems
University of Hawaii 

Automated Energy Distribution and Reliability Systems in Indiana
NiSource Energy Technologies 

Development of a UL Standard for the Interconnection of Distributed Generation
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 

Certification Laboratory Pilot, Accreditation Plan, and Interconnection Agreement Handbook
EPRI PEAC Corp. 

IEEE P1547.2 Interconnection Applications Guide
Resource Dynamics Corp. 

Reliable, Low Cost Distributed Generator/Utility System Interconnect
GE Global Research Center

Hardware Demonstration of the Feasibility and Value of Distributed Resources as a Solution to the Sensitive Load Problem
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Evaluation of the Field Performance of Fuel Cells
Cooperative Research Network/National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 

System Integration of Distributed Power for Complete Building Systems
NiSource Energy Technologies