Urban Microgrids: A Review and Applications in Postindustrial Detroit Area

Energy utilities are dealing with an increasingly outdated electricity grid. The grid is aging and will require large amounts of investment in order to maintain adequate service. Microgrids are localized small-scale electricity grids designed to address the local demand. Microgrids have the ability to improve grid reliability and increase renewable energy integration. Urban microgrids can be seen in use or in various stages of design or planning throughout the United States. Detroit has increasing grid reliability issues and high rates of residential vacancy leaving an opportunity for microgrids and renewable energy distributed generation. This paper aims to review the applications of microgrids throughout the United States and how they could be used in urban Detroit to address various issues.