DOE Perspective on Microgrids

Advanced Microgrid Concepts

and Technologies Workshop

Steve Bossart, Senior Energy Analyst U.S. Department of Energy

National Energy Technology Laboratory

June 7, 2012

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Topics

DOE Microgrid Goals

DOE Microgrid Program

Microgrid R&D Needs

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DOE Microgrid Goals

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Definition by Microgrid Exchange Group

A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode.

Microgrid and OE’s Performance Target

Develop commercial scale (<10MW) microgrid systems capable of reducing outage time of required loads by >98% at a cost comparable to non-integrated baseline solutions (UPS + diesel genset), while reducing emissions by >20% and improving system energy efficiencies by >20%

OE’s 2020 Performance Target

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Various Microgrid Configurations Possible

• Consumer Microgrid—single consumer with demand resources on consumer side of the point of delivery, (e.g. sports stadium)

• Community Microgrid— multiple consumers with demand resources on consumer side of the point of delivery, local objectives, consumer owned, (e.g., campus, etc.)

• Utility Microgrid—supply resources on utility side with consumer interactions, utility objectives

Microgrids are “Local Energy Networks”

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Microgrids & Smart Grids

Central Generation

Transmission Load

Distributed Generation E-Storage

Distribution

E-StorageDistributed Generation

Load

Microgrid

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A Possible Future Distribution Architecture

Municipal Microgrid

Military Microgrid

Campus Microgrid

Commercial Park Microgrid

IndustrialMicrogrid

Utility Microgrid

Distribution Control

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DOE Microgrid Program

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DOE-OE Primary Microgrid Field Projects

Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration Projects

Mon Power - West Virginia Super CircuitChevron Energy Solutions - CERTS Microgrid DemoCity of Fort Collins - 3.5 MW Mixed Distributed ResourcesIllinois Institute of Technology - IIT Perfect Power DemoSan Diego Gas & Electric - Borrego Springs Microgrid

Smart Grid Demonstration Projects (ARRA)

Battelle – Pacific Northwest Smart Grid DemonstrationLA Dept. of Water & Power Smart Grid Regional DemoSouthern California Edison Irvine Smart Grid Demo

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Common Objectives Among DOE’s Microgrid Projects

• Reduce peak load• Benefits of integrated DER (i.e., DG, DR, e-storage)• Ability to integrate variable renewables• Operate in “islanding” and “grid parallel” modes• Import and export capabilities• Two-way communications (frequency, verification, data latency)• Data management • Price-driven demand response• Dynamic feeder reconfiguration• Outage management (i.e., number, duration, and extent)• Volt/VAR/frequency control• Balance distributed and central control• Cyber security • Interconnection and interoperability• Defer generation, transmission, and distribution investments

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Common Technologies Among DOE’s Microgrid Projects

Generation and Energy Storage Renewable energy (PV, wind) Distributed generation (microturbines, fuel cells, diesel) Combined heat and power Energy storage (thermal storage, batteries)

T&D Communications (wireless, PLC, internet) Advanced metering infrastructure & smart meters T&D equipment health monitors (transformers)

Consumers Plug-in electric vehicles and charging stations (PHEV/PEV) Smart appliances & programmable thermostats Home Area Networks & In-Home Displays Energy management systems

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DOE Microgrid R&D Projects

CERTS Microgrid Test Bed

Energy Surety Microgrids

Smart Grid Interconnection and Interoperability Standards

SPIDERS: Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy, Reliability, and Security

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Microgrid R&D Needs

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List of High-Priority R&D Projects from the DOE Microgrid Workshop

Impactful R&D Areas High-priority R&D Projects

Standards and Protocols Universal Microgrid Communications and Control Standards

Microgrid Protection, Coordination, and Safety

Systems Design and Economic Analysis

Microgrid Multi-objective Optimization Framework

System Integration Common Integration Framework for Cyber Security/Control/Physical Architectures

Switch Technologies Legacy Grid-Connection Technologies to Enable Connect/Disconnect from Grid

Requirements based on Customer and Utility Needs

Control and Protection Technologies

Best Practices and Specifications for Protection and Controls

Reliable, Low-cost Protection

Inverters/Converters Topologies & Control Algorithms for Multiple Inverters to Operate in a Microgrid

Advanced Power Electronics Technologies

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Switch Technologies R&D• Life, cost, maintainability, and reliability• End-user needs define transition time• DC microgrid switch • Focus on best practices from switch operation

Control and Protection Technologies• Layered, low-cost, reliable protection • Adaptive and integrated protection and control• Main issue with protection is latency• Switches to handle full fault

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Inverters/Converters• Topologies, controls and coordination for

multiple inverters to operate in a microgrid• Longer life advanced power electronics to reduce cost

and improve performance• Switches for higher voltage and higher efficiency• Graceful degradation of power electronics

Standards and Protocols• Universal microgrid communication and control

standards• Microgrid protection, coordination, and safety

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System Design and Economic Analysis Tools

• Multi-objective optimization framework• Design and operation optimization methodology with

uncertainty accounting for financial risk• Library of tools including state estimation

Systems Integration• Common integration framework for cyber, control,

communication and physical architectures• Integrated information management systems

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Contact Information

Merrill Smith & Dan Ton

Program Managers

Microgrid R&D

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Delivery and Energy Reliability

(202) 586-3646

Merrill.smith@hq.doe.gov

(202) 586-4618Dan.ton@hq.doe.gov

Steve Bossart

Senior Energy Analyst

U.S. Department of Energy

National Energy Technology Lab

(304) 285-4643

Steven.bossart@netl.doe.gov