Dan T. Ton is Program Manager of Smart Grid R&D within the DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. He is responsible for developing and implementing a multi-year R&D program plan for Smart Grid technologies to transform electric distribution grids and customer solutions in the United States, through public/private partnerships. Previously, he served as the Team Lead managing the Renewable Systems Integration program within the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program. Before joining the DOE, Mr. Ton worked for the U.S. Navy in the areas of navy ship communication and control systems The U.S. Department of development and weapon technologies programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Energy’s Microgrid Initiative Science in Business Management, both from the University of Maryland. The DOE Smart Grid R&D Program considers Merrill A. Smith has been a program manager in the R&D Division of the DOE microgrids as a key building block for a Smart Grid and Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy has established microgrid R&D as a key focus area. Reliability since 2006, working on the Smart Grid and related technologies. Ms. Smith’s A significant number of R&D needs and challenges have focus area is on microgrid technologies including utilization and integration of clean been identified for microgrids during two workshops, with power generation into the distribution system and its effects on energy efficiency, security, input from more than 170 experts and practitioners and impact to the grid. In addition, her work representing a broad group of stakeholders. includes the Smart Grid Demonstration Program, which is examining the integration and optimization of a variety of Smart Grid technologies. Ms. Smith holds a Civil Dan T. Ton and Merrill A. Smith Engineering degree from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Engineering Management from George Washington University. I. Introduction the grid to enable it to operate in The DOE acknowledges the support provided both grid-connected or island- by the organizations represented on the Microgrids have been mode.’’1 Many other workshop planning committees in developing the process and sessions for the two Microgrid identified as a key component of organizations define microgrids Workshops discussed in this article. This the Smart Grid for improving with very similar definitions, article’s content is based on the workshop power reliability and quality, including the concept of a system session discussions, with session summary descriptions taken from the report-out increasing system energy of multiple loads and generation, presentations by individual teams during the efficiency, and providing the and of islanding from the grid. closing plenary. Contributions to this article by all workshop participants are duly possibility of grid-independence The benefits of microgrids acknowledged. to individual end-user sites. include: The Microgrid Workshops were sponsored by The DOE defines the microgrid  Enabling grid modernization the DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. The workshops were as ‘‘a group of interconnected and integration of multiple Smart hosted by the University of California – San loads and distributed energy Grid technologies. Diego and by the Illinois Institute of resources within clearly defined  Enhancing the integration of Technology in Chicago. electrical boundaries that acts as a distributed and renewable energy single controllable entity with sources that help to reduce peak respect to the grid. A microgrid load and reduce losses by locating can connect and disconnect from generation near demand.

84 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 The Electricity Journal  Meeting end-user needs by performance targets on costs, Program (SGDP) projects as part of ensuring energy supply for reliability, system energy DOE’s implementation of grid critical loads, controlling power efficiencies, and emissions.2 modernization under the quality and reliability at the local level, and promoting customer DOE microgrid To develop commercial scale microgrid systems participation through demand- performance (capacity <10 MW) capable of reducing outage side management and targets time of required loads by >98% at a cost comparable community involvement in 2020 to non-integrated baseline solutions (uninterrupted power electricity supply. supply [UPS] plus diesel genset), while reducing emissions  Supporting the macrogrid by by >20% and improving system energy efficiencies handling sensitive loads and the by >20%, by 2020. variability of renewables locally and supplying ancillary services to the bulk power system. ithin the U.S. Department his article provides an American Recovery and W of Energy (DOE) Office of T overview of ongoing Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Electricity Delivery and Energy microgrid projects being and assessment and Reliability (OE), the Smart Grid undertaken by DOE and its Smart demonstration projects jointly R&D Program was established to Grid R&D Program and a process supported by the Department of accelerate the deployment and of engaging microgrid Defense (DoD) and DOE. These integration of advanced stakeholders to jointly identify the and other ongoing microgrid communication, control, and remaining R&D gap areas and development and deployment information technologies that are develop an R&D plan to address projects are shown in Figure 1, needed to modernize the nation’s the gap areas. including those projects funded electric delivery network. This under the DoD Environmental modernization includes Security Technology Certification preparing America’s electric II. Ongoing Microgrid Program (ESTCP) Installation infrastructure to meet the Projects Energy Test Bed initiative. The challenges of our 21st century DOE projects shown in Figure 1 economy. The Smart Grid R&D The bulk of DOE microgrid are summarized below and Program has two goals: (1) to R&D efforts to date have been elsewhere.3 dynamically optimize grid focusing on demonstration Nine RDSI projects were operations and resources for a activities to meet niche application selected in 2008 via a competitive robust, flexible, and secure ‘‘plug- needs, such as the needs for DOE solicitation. The primary and-play’’ electric grid, and (2) to meeting peak load reduction, goals of these projects are to (1) fully integrate demand response renewable energy mandates and demonstrate at least 15 percent and consumer participation into directives, and energy surety and peak demand reduction on the grid resource planning and reliability at some critical facilities distribution feeder or substation operations. The microgrid including military installations. level through integrating initiative satisfies the first goal of These ongoing microgrid distributed energy resources dynamic optimization of demonstration projects consist of (DER), and (2) demonstrate distribution grid operations as lab- and field-scale R&D test beds, microgrids that can operate in both well as an emphasis on renewable and distributed grid parallel and islanded modes. distribution automation. Toward systems integration (RDSI) The application of technologies in this end, the initiative has projects for peak load reduction, an integrated fashion has the established its 2020 microgrid select Smart Grid Demonstration potential to allow more power to

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Figure 1: Select Microgrid Assessment and Demonstration Projects in the U.S.

be delivered through existing Berkeley National Laboratory military bases to develop infrastructure, thereby deferring (LBNL) is teaming with American approaches for implementing transmission and distribution Electric Power (AEP), the high reliability microgrids and to investment, and to increase the University of Wisconsin, and assist in planning for and analysis reliability of the grid by adding Sandia National Laboratories of potential risks in future elements that make it more stable (SNL) to apply Consortium for military and commercial projects. and reconfigurable. Other Electric Reliability Technology To date, 14 military bases have potential benefits include Solutions (CERTS) microgrid received assessments and/or addressing vulnerabilities in concepts in AEP’s Dolan conceptual designs using the critical infrastructure, managing Technology Center-Walnut Sandia ESM methodology. In peak loads, lowering emissions, Station Test Facility in Groveport, addition, Sandia has developed a using fuel resources more Ohio. CERTS microgrid concepts set of valuable lessons learned efficiently, and helping customers are also being applied in field that combined with their design manage energy costs. These RDSI demonstrations by the methodology provide a blueprint projects are progressing toward Sacramento Municipal Utility for future ESM microgrid achieving the goal of at least 15 District, Chevron Energy implementation. Building on the percent peak demand reduction, Solutions (RDSI project) shown in ESM work, the DOE is supporting and some have already Figure 2, and the DoD at Fort Sill SNL, Oak Ridge National successfully demonstrated 15 and Maxwell Air Force Base. Laboratory (ORNL), Idaho percent or more in reductions. The LBNL has also developed the National Laboratory, National total value of the RDSI program Distributed Energy Resources Renewable Energy Laboratory will exceed $100 million, with Customer Adoption Model (DER- (NREL), and Pacific Northwest approximately $55 million from CAM), which is an economic National Laboratory (PNNL) to the DOE over five years and the model to predict and optimize the work with the DoD to conduct the rest through participant cost share. capacity and minimize the cost of Smart Power Infrastructure here is also a significant operating distributed generation Demonstration for Energy T effort by national in microgrids. Reliability and Security laboratories on microgrid SNL is working on the Energy (SPIDERS) at Pearl Harbor- designs, analysis, and Surety Microgrid (ESM) Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; demonstrations at test facilities methodology, which uses cost Fort Carson, Colo.; and Camp and military bases. Lawrence and performance data from Smith, Hawaii. A key element of

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Figure 2: Chevron Energy Solutions’ Project at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, Calif., to Demonstrate Commercial Application of a CERTS Microgrid

SPIDERS is standardization of the demonstration projects for Power and Light in Missouri; and design approach, contracting, demonstrating emerging Smart Smart Grid Regional installation, security, and Grid technologies and alternative Demonstration by Los Angeles operation of these microgrids to architectures to validate business Department of Water and Power support future applications. models and address regulatory/ in California.4 The total value of dditional work at the scalability issues. Among them, these four projects is over $372 A National Laboratories several projects are conducting million, including the ARRA also supports the microgrid demonstrations involving funding of $183M. effort. At ORNL, the Distributed combinations of integrating uses n addition to meeting Energy Communications & of renewable energy resources, I individual niche applications, Controls Laboratory is distributed generation, energy the demonstrations above also developing controls for inverter- storage, demand-side field-prove capabilities of current based DER to provide local management, and charging technologies and unveil lessons voltage, power, and power schemes for plug-in electric learned, challenges, and needed quality support for the campus vehicles. These projects include: but unmet capabilities. Clearly, distribution system. On the Energy Internet Demonstration by current technologies will not be simulation side, PNNL has been Pecan Street Project Inc. in Texas; enough to meet the 2020 developing GridLAB-D as a Pacific Northwest Smart Grid performance targets established distribution system simulation Demonstration by Battelle by the DOE for microgrids. As a tool that integrates grid Memorial Institute including continuing effort to engage operations at several levels, Portland General Electric’s High stakeholders on jointly planning including microgrids. Reliability Zone (microgrid); and implementing RD&D Under the ARRA, the SGDP has Green Impact Zone SmartGrid activities, the Smart Grid R&D awarded 16 Smart Grid regional Demonstration by Kansas City Program convened two Microgrid

October 2012, Vol. 25, Issue 8 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 87 Workshops, one in 2011 and the and best practices for system Registration reached 73 and 100 other in 2012, to seek stakeholder integration from existing projects people for the first and second input on identifying key R&D in the U.S. (including military workshop respectively, areas and performance baselines, microgrids) and internationally. In representing vendors, utilities, targets, and actionable plans. This addition, the purpose of the national laboratories, universities, input is being incorporated into second workshop was to delve research institutes, and end users. the 2012 edition of the Smart Grid more deeply into R&D topics The technical topic sessions were Research and Development gathered from the first workshop conducted by having committee Multi-Year Program Plan to guide and subsequently determine members facilitate or lead session current and future DOE R&D system integration gap areas and discussions; for the first workshop, efforts in microgrids. functional requirements. an industry representative was similar process was paired with a committee member A followed to plan, organize, to co-lead the discussions in each III. Microgrid and conduct both workshops. session. Workshops Workshop planning committees were assembled to develop the The DOE held the first process and sessions. The first IV. 2011 Workshop: Microgrid Workshop on Aug. 30– workshop committee comprised Sessions and Major 31, 2011, in San Diego, and the representatives from four national Findings follow-on workshop on July 30–31, laboratories and a consulting 2012, in Chicago. The purpose of company; the second workshop The workshop planning the first workshop was to convene committee comprised committee identified major cost experts and practitioners to assist representatives from four national components and subcomponents the DOE in identifying and labs, three universities, and two for microgrids based on their field prioritizing R&D areas in the field consulting companies. The experience (Table 1). The of microgrids. The second committee members provided italicized subcomponents shown workshop was held in response to nominations of experts and in Table 1 were further identified path-forward discussions that practitioners to the DOE for as areas having potential for called for sharing lessons learned invitation to the workshops. significant cost reduction from the

Table 1: Major Cost Components and Subcomponents for Microgrids, as Identified by Workshop Planning Committee (percentages in parentheses are estimates of costs). Switchgear protection Smart grid Site and transformers communications engineering Operations and Energy resources (30–40%) (20%) and controls (10–20%) (30%) markets Energy storage; controllable Switchgear utility Standards and protocols; control A&E (modeling O&M; market loads; distributed generation; interconnection algorithms and software and analysis); (utility) renewable generation; (including low-cost (integration with energy system integration, acceptance combined heat and power switches, management system [EMS], testing, and interconnection study, prime movers, utilities); validation protection schemes real-time signals (openADR); [programmable relays], local SCADA access; power and protection studies) electronics (smart inverters, DC bus [typically on the battery])

88 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 The Electricity Journal Smart Grid R&D Program efforts. integration of functions and Inverters/converters Two parallel tracks were generation sources, long-term  Topologies and control organized on the first day to maintainability, and reliability. algorithms for multiple address the potential cost  Requirements based on inverters to operate in a reduction areas identified. One customer and utility needs: Collect microgrid: Define functionalities track focused on microgrid information on end-user needs needed for combining multiple components, with separate sessions and determine functions for a power sources. Develop on switch technologies, control myriad of applications. control and methods for and protection technologies, Control and protection coordinated operation of and inverters/converters. The technologies multiple, smaller distributed other track focused on microgrid  Best practices and inverters (<100 kW). systems, with separate sessions specifications for protection and  Advanced power electronics on standards and protocols, controls; information models: technologies: Design topologies system design and economic for reduction in volume, cost, analysis tools, and system and weight of passive integration. The second day of this components using switch workshop consisted of a combined and magnetic technologies for session in which the selected higher efficiency. Develop industry representatives multi-functional power summarized their sub-sessions to conditioning systems including the entire group. These report-out transformer function, DC presentations consisted of priority circuits, and multiple types of R&D areas and performance generators. baselines, targets, and actionable plans. B. R&D areas relating to onclusions from the microgrid systems C breakout session discussions and the report-out Conduct pilots with the DOE/ Standards and protocols presentations from the workshop DoD to develop use cases and  Universal microgrid are documented in the DOE provide guidelines for multiple communications and control Microgrid Workshop Report.5 approaches. Leverage what standards: Define an end- Following are the key R&D works at transmission level to to-end communications and areas identified for each distribution level. control standard that links session to achieve the above-  Reliable, low-cost protection: distributed generation, loads, and stated DOE 2020 targets for Use a layered approach, with the utility connections with microgrids. first level being protection of standardized component components for fast and local capabilities that are consistent A. R&D areas relating to decisions, the second level with applicable cyber security microgrid components being control for system standards. stability (load reconfiguration),  Microgrid protection, Switch technologies and the third level being coordination, and safety: Modify  Legacy grid-connection optimization. existing anti-islanding DER technologies to enable connect/  Switches to handle full fault: techniques to operate correctly in disconnect from grid: Achieve Develop fault current limiting microgrid operations, and functionality without designating devices at the point of connection develop new unintentional specific technologies. Focus on to the grid. islanding techniques to handle

October 2012, Vol. 25, Issue 8 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 89 more DER in the microgrid. microgrid initiatives and projects, following microgrid projects: Define acceptable anti-islanding including those at the military Santa Rita Jail (industrial), requirements for microgrids that sites. Twenty nine Palms (military), export power. Develop new  Integration of the R&D areas Sandia National Laboratory (open protection and coordination identified across all technical architecture), Illinois Institute of methods to handle faults and sessions in this workshop for Technology (university), abnormal conditions when grid- pursuit to better address microgrid lab demonstrations and connected and inside microgrids. some common, crosscutting pilots (Europe), and Sendai Coordinate disturbance response elements (standards, control, (Japan). A working list of system with utility. protection coordination, security, integration issues, identified by System design and economic etc.). the workshop planning analysis tools  Follow-up on and increased committee and categorized into  Microgrid multi-objective collaboration among existing ‘‘Planning and Design’’ and optimization framework: Develop ‘‘Operations and Control’’ tracks, a multi-objective (based on was then presented for input from quantitative metrics) the audience, based on their optimization framework over experience and the presentations time (dynamic programming). on lessons learned and best Develop microgrid-specific practices. This brainstorming design tools and build a session resulted in a total of six library of solutions and tools breakout sessions focusing on 12 by 2020. R&D topics for discussions on the  Design an operations second day. For each R&D topic, optimization methodology with session participants discussed uncertainty: Uncertainty includes framing of the topic; current financial risk and return; design technology status; needs and should be risk-resilient. Perform a challenges; R&D scope; and R&D ‘‘stress test’’ of preliminary microgrid projects for knowledge metrics. operational design against sharing. ignificant microgrid various external factors that S development activities were threaten system operation. presented in the opening System integration V. Workshop 2: Sessions International Panel. In Europe,  Common integration and Major Findings eight pilot microgrids, shown in framework: Develop a common Figure 3, were presented that framework for cyber security/ The first day of the July 2012 enable the experimental control/physical architectures. workshop began with an validation of various microgrid Vertically integrate information international panel session, architectures, control strategies, management systems. during which representatives and protection algorithms. These he workshop concluded from Europe, Japan, South Korea, pilots are being conducted by a T with a path-forward and the U.S. provided an consortium comprising discussion, during which overview of microgrid manufacturers, power workshop participants suggested development activities in their distribution utilities, and research the following next steps: respective countries or regions. teams from 12 European  Effective reporting and This was followed by countries, as part of the EU MORE sharing of lessons learned presentations of lessons learned MICROGRIDs project that is co- and best practices on existing and best practices from the funded by the European

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Figure 3: Eight Pilot Microgrids as Part of the EU MORE MICROGRIDS Project

Commission’s sixth framework A. R&D topic session  Open architectures that program (FP6) for research and breakouts promote flexibility, scalability and technological development. These security. Develop interoperable pilots aim at, among other Following are the key R&D distributed controls and flexible objectives, conducting field trials topics identified by workshop architecture to facilitate different to test control technologies on participants as high priority for applications. actual microgrids and are DOE microgrid R&D. These Modeling and analysis quantifying microgrid effects on topics are presented with a brief  Performance optimization power system operation and scope description below, without methods and uncertainty in the planning. prioritization, under two tracks: modeling and design process. apan presented their ‘‘Planning and Design’’ and Develop a standard set of J microgrid demonstration ‘‘Operations and Control.’’ collaborative tools that addresses projects, as shown in Table 2.In uncertainty, have a more holistic South Korea, the leading research B. R&D topics relating to approach (to integrated energy groups in microgrids include microgrid planning and systems, communications, Korea Electrotechnology design vehicles, combined heat and Research Institute (KERI), Korea power systems, etc.), and broadly Electric Power Research Institute System architecture assesses value streams; validate (KEPRI), Myong Ji University development the tools on both domestic and (MJU) and Korea Maritime  Definition of microgrid international systems. University (KMU). Several applications, interfaces, and Power system design microgrid projects are being services. Define the following: an  DC Power. Establish codes undertaken in Korea by these ideal microgrid architecture, use and standards for DC research groups, as well as a joint cases, and interfaces to reference applications in residential, project with the Illinois Institute existing standards commercial, and industrial of Technology in the U.S. to (interconnection versus settings; develop standard design develop a local area monitoring communication versus methodologies and software system for microgrids. information). tools; develop DC system control

October 2012, Vol. 25, Issue 8 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 91 Table 2: Microgrid Demonstration Projects by Japan. Project name Scale Project Control system Element Aichi Microgrid FY 2003–2007 1,200 kW NEDO Balancing PV, NAS Battery, Fuel Cell, Smart Metering, (by 10 min) PMU (Phasor Measurement Unit) Hachinohe Microgrid 600 kW NEDO Balancing Wind, PV, LA Battery, Gas Engine, FY 2003–2007 (6 min moving Smart Metering, PMU average), power[8_TD$IF] quality Kyotango Microgrid 650 kW NEDO Balancing Wind, PV, LA Battery, Methane Fermentation, FY 2003–2007 (by 5 min) Fuel Cell, Smart Metering Sendai Power Quality 950 kW NEDO Balancing PV, LA Battery, Capacitor, City gas, Management FY Fuel Cell, Smart Metering 2004–2007 Shimizu Construction Company 600 kW Private own Balancing PV, Ni-MH Battery, City Gas, Smart Metering FY 2006– Miyako Island Microgrid 50 MW Utility Balancing, Wind, PV, NAS Battery, SCiBT, Gas FY 2009–2013 (Okinawa EPC) power quality Turbine and Thermal Higashida Co-generation 33 MW Steel company Balancing, Wind, PV, Li-ion battery, Fuel Cell, EV, (Kita-Kyushu Project) power quality Smart Metering FY 2010– New Mexico – Los Alamos 5 MW Distribution utility Balancing PV, NAS Battery, LA Battery, Smart Metering FY 2010–2013 (+NEDO) New Mexico – Albuquerque 300 kW Building owner Ancillary service, PV, LA Battery, City Gas, Fuel Cell, FY 2010–2013 (+NEDO) balancing Smart Metering

algorithms; implement a push- C. R&D topics relating to frequency and voltage; and and-pull strategy for DC microgrid operations and demonstrate a system that microgrids, and develop control can synchronize and advanced power electronics reconnect a microgrid under all (lower cost, higher function and Steady state control and edge conditions (high PV reliability). coordination penetration) for all classes of  Microgrid Integration.  Internal services within a microgrids. Develop the following: a resource microgrid. Develop a standard  Interaction of microgrid with guide (handbook) of available set of hardware and software utility or other microgrids. products, costs, installation that supports the communication Evaluate microgrids against methods, valuation methods, etc.; protocols and cybersecurity other existing utility mitigation standard and observable models standards already developed to tools and schemes; evaluate to be used in modeling and allow DER to plug and potential effects of multiple analysis; standard analysis play; develop three-phase microgrids on the stability of the methods and software models; estimators based on phasor grid and potential regulatory surety design methods and measurement units (PMUs) policies, economic incentives, metrics for reliability and and compatible instrumentation and control schemes that could be security; and advanced power for run time control; develop used to mitigate the negative electronics and advanced a better understanding of effects; develop tools for controls. methods of decoupling distribution to manage

92 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 The Electricity Journal microgrids and their resources in commercially available  Operational optimization of cooperation with other autonomous transition control multiple microgrids. Develop RT distribution resources (assets) in and protection concept and and near-RT controls that ‘‘RDO’’ (regional distribution products that meet the defined incorporate optimization between operator); and develop a capabilities; and validate multiple microgrids; develop technical, operational, and standard microgrid component methods to negotiate objectives economic model to demonstrate models for protection and and optimizations between the value of microgrids to utilities transient studies. multiple microgrids (between through simulation and case Operational optimization different microgrid integrators); studies.  Operational optimization of a evaluate various optimization Transient state control and single microgrid. Develop real- techniques as applied to multiple protection time (RT) and near-RT controls microgrid operations; and  Transient state control and that incorporate optimization; develop methodology for protection. Define impact of types evaluate various optimization comparing multiple microgrid of communication and identify techniques as applied to baseline to optimized microgrid requirements; develop three- microgrid operations; and operations for potential input into phase unbalanced dynamic develop methodology for business case analysis. stability analysis models and a comparing microgrid baseline to he workshop report will reference study for transient optimized microgrid operations T summarize conclusions stability analysis of microgrids; for potential input into business from the breakout session develop technically mature, case analysis. discussions and report-out [(Figure_4)TD$IG]

Figure 4: Microgrid Initiative Development Process by the DOE Smart Grid R&D Program

October 2012, Vol. 25, Issue 8 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 93 presentations. Once completed, the identified needs and Endnotes:

the report will be published on the challenges has been outlined at 1. Definition developed by the DOE Web site for access by all the two workshops. Also, evident Microgrid Exchange Group, which is interested parties. Meanwhile, all from workshop discussions and comprised of an ad hoc group of individuals working on microgrid presentations made at the July presentations are the technical, deployment and research. 2012 workshop can be economical, societal, and 2. U.S. Department of Energy, Smart downloaded through Web links environmental benefits that can Grid Research & Development Multi- embedded in the workshop result from successful Year Program Plan: 2010–2014, Sept. program agenda.6 development and deployment of 2011 Update in Draft (at http:// events.energetics.com/SmartGridPeer microgrids. Review2012/pdfs/SG_MYPP_2011. ngaging stakeholders in pdf). workshops to seek input on VI. Conclusions and E 3. D.T. Ton, W.M. Wang and W.-T.P. Path Forward R&D needs as described above is Wang, Smart Grid R&D by the U.S. a key part of the R&D Department of Energy to Optimize Distribution Grid Operations, The DOE Smart Grid R&D management process shown in PROCEEDINGS OF 2011 IEEE POWER & Program considers microgrids as Figure 4 and practiced by the ENERGY SOCIETY GENERAL MEETING AT a key building block for a Smart Smart Grid R&D Program. MICHIGAN, Detroit, July 24–28, 2011. Grid and has established After gathering input, the 4. Information on the SGDP projects is microgrid R&D as a key focus Program will further refine R&D available at http://www.smartgrid. gov/recovery_act/project_ area. A significant number of requirements to plan and develop information?keys=&project%5B% R&D needs and challenges have a competitive funding 5D=2. been identified for microgrids opportunity announcement 5. U.S. Dept. of Energy, DOE during the two workshops, with (FOA), subject to available Microgrid Workshop Report, Aug. 30– input from more than 170 experts funds from annual 31, 2011, at http://energy.gov/sites/ prod/files/Microgrid%20Workshop% and practitioners representing a appropriations. The DOE 20Report%20August%202011.pdf. broad group of stakeholders in Microgrid R&D initiative is 6. The workshop program agenda the U.S. and other countries such following the process in Figure 4, with embedded presentation links is as Europe, Japan, Korea, and from conception through R&D available at http://e2rg.com/events/ Canada. R&D scope to address execution.& agenda/.

A significant number of R&D needs and challenges have been identified for microgrids.

94 1040-6190/$–see front matter # 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tej.2012.09.013 The Electricity Journal