Microgrid research partnership celebrates milestone toward enhanced grid resilience

Microgrids are localized energy systems that can connect to the main grid or operate independently when outages occur. They help utilities balance supply and demand to reduce costs during periods of peak energy demand, while delivering more reliable power in areas where blackouts are more frequent.

ORNL has developed an advanced microgrid control platform allowing microgrid boundaries to flex on a larger scale than previously seen, expanding or contracting based on critical needs and available energy resources. This enables the utility to expand service beyond the microgrid borders to serve more customers during a broader outage.

The same microgrid control platform will also enable "nested" microgrids - in this case, smaller grids within the existing distribution system, where one grid can control or support others. Together, dynamic boundaries and nesting capabilities enhance reliability for utility customers.

"National laboratories accelerate grid modernization technologies from concept, to scale up, to deployment in the nation's electric grid," said Stephen Streiffer, ORNL laboratory director. "Microgrid innovations demonstrated through utility partnerships are enabling safeguards for critical infrastructure and community services in the face of disasters."

Streiffer noted that microgrids are an increasingly important tool as grids serve large loads. ORNL is marshaling its expertise and facilities to better manage energy supply for AI data center operations while strengthening infrastructure resilience and security through its Next-Generation Data Centers Institute.

Grid modernization is also central to DOE's Genesis Mission, a bold new endeavor to build the world's most powerful scientific platform to accelerate discovery science, strengthen national security, and drive energy innovation.

"At EPB, our mission to enhance local quality of life drives our efforts to deliver reliable, affordable energy for the people we serve," said David Wade, EPB CEO. "Working with the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows us to test and deploy new technologies to benefit our customers. Together, we're developing practical solutions that help us reduce the impact of outages while managing costs more effectively over time for our customers."

EPB and ORNL have partnered for more than a decade to test and deploy innovative controls, sensor systems, city-wide building energy models, security approaches and quantum/supercomputing grid technology platforms.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. - S. Heather Duncan