MicrogridUP: Prospecting High Value Microgrid Deployments Across Full Utility Systems With a Multi-Staged Optimization Approach

Facilities with large critical loads (e.g., military installations) require complex microgrids to cost-effectively meet continuity of operations and resilience requirements, which vary based on the installation and branch. Existing electric grid planning tools lack integrated methods for concurrently modeling on-site generation along with low voltage (i.e., buildings), medium voltage (i.e., distribution system primary), and high voltage (i.e., transmission systems) loads. This shortcoming in existing planning tools increases time, cost, complexity, and uncertainty in designing microgrids for multi-building sites. The MicrogridUP project has created a comprehensive microgrid planning framework to address known software and planning problems that limit the widespread, cost-effective utilization of microgrids on military bases. The project team includes utilities that hold utility privatization (UP) contracts, and the framework has been used to develop microgrid plans for four installations these utilities serve. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Research’s MicrogridUP planning framework has been able to identify attractive microgrid candidates, optimize their placement and components, and reduce the soft costs associated with the planning process.