Enhancing Flexibility and Response to Grid Conditions
- Flexibility in Energy Supply: DERs such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems enable a more flexible energy supply. They can adjust their output or consumption in real-time based on grid conditions, helping to match demand with supply more effectively.
- Peak Demand Management: During peak demand periods, DERs can alleviate pressure on the grid by providing additional power or by optimizing energy use through demand response mechanisms.
Mitigating Grid Congestion
- Reduction in Congestion Costs: By providing localized energy sources and storage, DERs can reduce the strain on the grid during high demand periods. This helps mitigate congestion, which costs billions annually and can lead to reliability issues.
- Real-Time Adjustments: DERs allow for rapid adjustments to grid conditions, preventing overloads that can cause congestion and ensuring a more stable energy delivery system.
Supporting Microgrids and Resilience During Outages
- Creation of Microgrids: DERs enable the creation of microgrids, which are self-sustaining energy systems that can isolate from the main grid during outages. This ensures continuity of critical services, such as those needed in hospitals and emergency services.
- Extended Survival Time: By incorporating storage and renewable energy sources into microgrids, DERs can extend survival time during grid outages, especially when fuel supplies are limited.
Economic and Operational Benefits
- Cost Savings and Revenue Streams: DERs can provide cost savings by reducing reliance on the main grid and generating revenue streams through grid-connected operations, thus lowering the overall cost of maintaining a resilient energy system.
- Comprehensive Resilience Planning Tools: Tools like the Technical Resilience Navigator help organizations identify resilience gaps and develop strategies to enhance grid resilience through DER integration.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-distributed-energy-resources-improve-grid-resilience/
