Understanding Community Microgrids

Baum, Jacqueline; Renjit, Ajit

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DOE OSTI · 1841725

Understanding Community Microgrids

Baum, Jacqueline·Renjit, Ajit

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Abstract

Increasing need for distribution circuit reliability and resilience prompt a clearer understanding of community microgrid interconnection and operational requirements. While customer-owned, behind-the-meter microgrid implementation is not always simple, increasing demand for reliability has commercialized many installation approaches. This rapid commercialization has broadened industry understanding of single-customer microgrid integration. Moreover, off-grid behaviors of such microgrids are not required to meet utility standard interconnection requirements. However, multi-customer community microgrids (utility- or third-party operated), are less well explored and introduce more complex design and operational challenges. The control of DER along with distribution automation devices, unmanned operation, protection coordination, and other aspects makes community microgrids challenging to implement and operate in both on-grid and off-grid modes. This whitepaper is a technical primer for understanding community microgrids. It provides a foundation for understanding the components, configurations, design, and operational considerations for community microgrids.

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14 SOLAR ENERGY 24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION 25 ENERGY STORAGE Community Microgrid DER Interconnection Microgrid Outage Recovery

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Baum, Jacqueline, Renjit, Ajit. 2021-12-01. Understanding Community Microgrids. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1841725

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