Background
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Military facilities with large critical loads 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 (building), medium voltage (distribution), and high voltage (transmission) systems. This shortcoming in existing planning tools increases time, cost, complexity, and uncertainty in designing microgrids for multi-building sites, such as what military installations' microgrids will require.
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Technology Description
In 2010, NRECA created the Open Modeling Framework (OMF), a software that provides common data models, configuration management tools, run execution, and visualization capabilities for use with multiple models, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's GridLAB-D and the National Renewable Energy Lab's System Advisor Model. Through additional DOE funding, NRECA has adapted the OMF to meet utilities' need for a tool that can combine and analyze data resulting from the integration of new renewable resources such as wind and solar, as well as other distributed energy resources. This technology is now available under an open source license [www.omf.coop]. Under the proposal, we propose to extend NRECA's OMF capabilities to automate the microgrid modeling process at military installations and create a standardized microgrid planning framework that can be deployed at military installations across the country. More information on the OMF is located here.
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Expected Benefits
MicrogridUP will leverage DOE-developed solutions to lower microgrid planning costs to the Department of Defense (DoD) by developing a repeatable microgrid planning framework that simplifies the process of planning for the integration of assets with legacy infrastructure. The project will therefore lower the soft costs associated with microgrid implementation and allow for the option to network microgrids.
Funding
This project is a 3-year research project funded by the Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). This is DoD's environmental technology demonstration and validation program. The Program was established in 1995 to promote the transfer of innovative technologies that have successfully established proof of concept to field or production use.
