Advanced Distribution Technologies & Operating Concepts

Microgrids

The EDT Program is focused on integrating a portfolio of distributed energy resources (DER) and load management to enhance reliability and security of electricity delivery. A microgrid, a local energy network, offers integration of DER with local electric loads, which can operate in parallel with the grid or in an intentional island mode to provide a customized level of high reliability and resilience to grid disturbances. This advanced, integrated distribution system addresses the need for application in locations with electric supply and/or delivery constraints, in remote sites, and for protection of critical loads and economically sensitive development.

Microgrid development addresses several clauses of EPACT 2005, for which the DOE/OE is responsible. Namely, these include:

• Improvement of energy efficiency of high power density facilities, including data centers, server farms, and telecommunications facilities
  
• Advanced energy delivery technologies
  
• Integration of power systems, including systems to deliver high-quality electric power and electric power reliability

Microgrid Resources

Current Projects

General Electric (GE)
This is a 24-month, $4.2 million program to develop Microgrid Energy Management System. The objective of the program is to develop microgrid specifications, investigate business models, develop advanced local supervisory controls and algorithms, and demonstrate at the city of Wayne, New Jersey.

This GE document includes information about the program activities, tasks, timeline, project team, and project definition.

University of Wisconsin / CERTS Microgrid
The University of Wisconsin CERTS microgrid project is a joint project involving Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, The Electric Power Group, the University of Wisconsin, and The Georgia Institute of Technology.

The project is based on the definition of the CERTS microgrid model, and provides a test bed for microgrid concepts. Some of the business opportunities identified by the project are: developing a low-cost delivery of Premium Power/UPS, an improved power electronics interface, and reduced emissions. The projects will also advance R&D development needs by advancing microgrid concept development, developing analyses & modeling tools, and by providing a microgrid test bed.

This meeting document includes presentations from the Joint DOE/CEC Meeting on Microgrid Research, Development, and Demonstration. (December 2003).

Publications

Microgrid Vision Roadmap Report and Microgrid Assessment Report. These documents cover Phase 1 of a two-phase project. Phase 1 - Define microgrids and the business case: (1) review prior R&D activity, (2) develop a working definition of a microgrid, and (3) develop several potential business models that apply microgrid technology. Phase 2 - Characterize the market and R&D needs: (1) estimate the market opportunity for the potential business models, (2) characterize the market, business, and information gaps identified in developing the market opportunity, and (3) produce a research assessment report.

Microgrid Whitepaper. This paper sought to highlight coordination and control strategies that make a microgrid unique. It makes an attempt to clarify the microgrid market by defining simple, master control and peer-to-peer control microgrids. It also includes a brief discussion of other interesting projects that some developers, control system manufacturers, and end users call microgrids, but which do not really meet the definition herein.


Meeting Documents

Joint DOE/CEC Meeting; Microgrid Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D); 12/16/03, Golden, CO. This document includes the agenda and presentation materials for this meeting, which served as a forum to understand, coordinate, and collaborate on all ongoing microgrid RD&D activities to leverage resources and identify critical R&D gap areas. Discussions focused on: (1) microgrid activities and needs and microgrid testing, demonstration, and integration activities, (2) complementary role of test/demonstration capabilities and activities presented in previous panel discussions, and (3) identifying RD&D gap areas and how they relate to the identified business cases and the California Energy Commission microgrid roadmap.

Microgrid Vision and Roadmap Workshop; 6/22-24/05, Washington, DC. This document includes the agenda, introductions, and research briefs for this workshop on envisioning the future of microgrids. Discussions encompassed various microgrid activities, a need for a unifying vision, and DOE’s interest in microgrids. This workshop provided an overview of the microgrid two-phase report to answer microgrid questions and to provide input to DOE and California Energy Commission for making research investment decisions relative to microgrids.
For more information, see this Phase 1 Report and this Final Report.

CERTS Berkeley 2005 Symposium on Microgrids; 6/17/05, Berkeley, CA. This website covers the international microgrids symposium, which discussed global microgrid research activities, and includes the agenda, pictures, presentations, and publications.

CEC Workshop; 5/2/02. This document contains the proceedings for this workshop sponsored by the California Energy Commission to explore different microgrid concepts and identify current research gaps.

Point of Contact: Poonum Agrawal, 202-586-1411, Poonum.agrawal@hq.doe.gov)