ISGT Europe 2018 - Microgrids as Enablers in DER Integration

Though the concept of microgrids is not new, there is a significant amount of innovation occurring in the field. Utility-operated microgrids not only offer significant improvements in regional resilience, but also enable valuable experience and research-based insights that can improve the design and operations of the broader distribution grid. The speakers will address cutting-edge research associated with the development of a microgrid master controller (MMC) and other major advancement in application of microgids for integration of distributed energy resources (DER) in distribution systems. They will address additional learnings on crucial topics such as how an MMC can optimize the use of solar PV and storage within a microgrid, what are the benefits associated with a microgrid project, and how syncrophasors can support the development of advanced operations like islanding. Practical examples of utility microgrid, such as the Bronzeville Community Microgrid by ComEd, which can operate a clustered microgrid, and will be commercialized and implemented by the end of 2019 will be presented. The results and lessons learned from the development of the state of the art BCM utility microgrid can be leveraged for advancement of this technology in Southern European power grid. In summary, the panelists will discuss how practical challenges can be overcome by a collaborative approach between research, development and implementation experts to lead the field forward.