July 8, 2025
Report

Preliminary Design Process for Networked Microgrids

Abstract

Changes in economic, technology, and environmental policies are resulting in a re-evaluation of the dependence on large central generation facilities and their associated transmission networks. Emerging concepts of smart communities/cities are examining the potential to leverage cleaner sources of generation, and the potential to integrate electricity generation with other municipal functions. When grid-connected, these generation assets can supplement the existing interconnections with the bulk transmission system, and in the event of an extreme event, they can provide power via networks of microgrids. While the design process for a single stand-alone microgrid is relatively well understood, the process of designing the infrastructure for networked microgrid operations has not been well studied. Because of the wide range of potential operational goals for microgrids, it is typical to follow the engineering process of developing an initial conceptual design, a preliminary design, a detailed design, and then a final as-built design. The conceptual design is typically completed without detailed engineering analysis, and the preliminary design is the first stage that requires it. This paper presents a process for developing the preliminary design for networked microgrids, which can then be used as a basis for the final as-built design.

Published: July 8, 2025

Citation

Schneider K.P., H. Nagarajan, A. Pratt, M. Reno, B. Ollis, F.K. Tuffner, and S. Nandanoori, et al. 2020. Preliminary Design Process for Networked Microgrids Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.