Hybrid renewable energy and microgrid research work at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducts a variety of research in the area of hybrid power system integration and microgrids. NREL is studying hybrid (stand-alone) power systems incorporating photovoltaic power in the United States and assessing the characteristics and status of government-installed hybrid systems greater than 2 kW over the last 30 years. This research provides information to the community on hybrid power systems, presents lessons learned from operational experience, and provides analysis of challenges and success of the assessed systems. NREL also supports the development of IEEE P1547.4 Draft Guide for Design, Operation, and Integration of Distributed Resource Island Systems with Electric Power System as part of the further development of IEEE 1547-2003 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. This standard is summarized here, providing alternative approaches and good practices for the design, operation, and integration of microgrids.