Microgrids pushed into daily grid ops amid data center surge — SkimNews
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- Jackie Baum emphasized that microgrids can support utilities during peak events and voltage issues, not just provide backup power, and described DERs as resources operating below 69 kV including behind-the-meter solar and storage.
- Sandia National Laboratories is building four scenario-based grid engineering facilities to test power electronics, controls, and inverters under stress conditions so commercial equipment can be trusted in real-world deployments.
- Jon Hawkins noted that unlike solar or storage, microgrids lack standardization — each has unique loads, generation, and controls — making interconnection a longer, more complex process for utilities like PNM.
- Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is developing five microgrids, including battery-based and clean hydrogen systems, driven by past outages that revealed the need for localized energy resilience.
- EPRI is advancing microgrid integration through IEEE standards development, industry forums, and published methodologies for modeling, testing, and commissioning to improve predictability for grid operators.
Why it matters: Utilities face growing strain from massive data center loads up to 300 MW, while lacking standardized tools to manage microgrids — making repeatable, trusted designs critical to maintaining grid stability and unlocking value beyond backup. Without this shift, integration delays and reliability risks will escalate.
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