Microgrid Program Strategy

The overall strategic vision of the DOE OE Microgrid program is that microgrids will become essential building blocks of the future electric grid, leveraging all sources of affordable, reliable, and secure energy. The program mission is to accelerate beneficial microgrid innovations that improve the reliability, resilience, security and affordability of the U.S. electricity delivery system—advancing U.S. energy independence and dominance. Over time, program investments will enable microgrids to evolve from isolated emergency power sources into dynamic, interconnected energy ecosystems that enhance grid resilience and provide critical stability to the broader electricity delivery system. To implement this vision and mission, the program strategy includes goals across the following three broad domains, as also illustrated in Figure 1 below. 

Infrastructure, Operations, and Control: Contains research, development and demonstration (RD&D) goals associated with the operational aspects of microgrid technologies, including microgrid monitoring, control, optimization, communication, and protection.

Multi-Domain Analysis and Decision-Making Tools: Contains RD&D goals associated with the design, planning, and analysis aspects of microgrid technologies, including tools, computational methods and models, and corresponding simulation approaches. 

Engagement and Institutional Frameworks: Contains goals associated with market, regulatory, and institutional barriers to microgrid system adoption.