Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) play a crucial role in enhancing grid resilience during outages by providing several key benefits. Here’s how DERs contribute:
Role of DERs in Grid Resilience
- On-Site Generation and Storage: DERs, such as solar panels and battery storage systems, can generate and store electricity locally. This capability allows them to power homes, businesses, or communities when grid outages occur, ensuring continuity of critical services like healthcare and emergency operations.
- Microgrids Integration: DERs can be part of a microgrid, which is a local energy system capable of self-supply and operating independently from the main grid (islanding). Microgrids can quickly adapt to disruptions by providing stable power even when the broader grid fails, thereby extending survival times during outages.
- Revenue Streams and Cost Savings: While connected to the grid, DERs can generate revenue through power sales or provide cost savings by reducing reliance on centralized power plants. This economic benefit can support additional investments in resilience measures, such as energy storage and advanced grid control systems.
- Flexibility and Load Management: DERs help manage peak demand and grid stress by allowing utilities to curtail or shift energy use through demand response programs. This flexibility can prevent or mitigate the impact of outages by ensuring that energy supply matches demand more closely.
Benefits Summary
| Benefits of DERs for Grid Resilience | Description |
|---|---|
| On-Site Energy Generation | Locally produced energy can supply power during outages. |
| Microgrid Capabilities | Microgrids with DERs can operate independently, ensuring continuous power supply. |
| Economic Benefits | Revenue generation and cost savings support resilience investments. |
| Peak Demand Management | Flexibility in energy use helps prevent overload and potential outages. |
Overall, DERs enhance grid resilience by offering decentralized energy solutions that can mitigate the impacts of outages, reduce reliance on the main grid, and provide economic benefits that support further resilience measures.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-ders-contribute-to-grid-resilience-during-outages/
