Networked Microgrid Operations: Supporting a Resilient Electric Power Infrastructure

The fundamental requirements for electric power-system operations are the same regardless of the system size. While specific operational implementations will change based on the measurements-regardless of whether the power system spans a continent or a single building, it is necessary to regulate the frequency and voltage, adjust generating unit outputs, and to protect equipment from electrical faults. In this way, the operational requirements of electric power systems exhibit fractal behaviors. Because of this operational characteristic, it is technically feasible to separate or segment any portion of an electric power system and operate it independently, if sufficient generating assets and control systems are present. However, the generating assets and controls necessary to implement this type of operation have not traditionally been deployed; centralized generation and control is currently the predominant operational paradigm. For example, the frequency is typically regulated at a regional level by balancing the generation at large central units with the consumption of power by end-use customers and system losses. Small changes in the frequency are used to coordinate the sharing of the load between generators on a regional level.