ORNL to demonstrate dynamic boundaries, networked microgrids with EPB

The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is propelling grid resilience through a partnership with regional utility EPB of Chattanooga that will demonstrate advanced microgrid capabilities to reduce customer power outages.

Supported by DOE’s Office of Electricity, the project reached a milestone Monday with an event celebrating the installation of microgrid equipment within EPB’s network.

“The Department of Energy isn’t just talking about strengthening America’s energy system — we’re out here building it,” said Katie Jereza, assistant secretary for the Office of Electricity. “Microgrids make electricity more dependable when it’s needed most and help reduce energy costs when demand spikes. The combined forces of utilities and national labs can quickly take new technology to the grid, keeping energy affordable, reliable and secure for every American.”

Earlier in the day, Jereza visited ORNL’s Grid Research Innovation and Development Center (GRID-C), where the microgrid platform developed at ORNL is being tested before demonstration in EPB’s new microgrids next year.

Microgrids boost electricity reliability, protect critical infrastructure

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.”

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.

Research catapults energy innovation from lab to utility grids

While EPB already had three existing microgrids, the project with ORNL enabled the regional utility to add almost 58 megawatt hours of energy storage in a fleet of five microgrids across two sites. If needed, these facilities can provide backup power to more than a thousand residential customers as well as fire stations, community centers, grocery stores and other community resources.

“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.

Pictured: EPB President and CEO-Elect Janet Rehberg, ORNL Lab Director Stephen Streiffer, EPB CEO David Wade, U.S. DOE Assistant Secretary Katie Jereza

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