The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the U.S. has published an analysis by Rory McIlmoil, a researcher at NREL's Grid Planning and Analysis Center, which explores how microgrids could enhance grid resilience in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene. h3u4g

Microgrids can also deliver significant additional benefits to the grid. They enable the use of distributed energy resources during power outages and help reduce stress on the grid during times of high or peak demand that could otherwise lead to blackouts.

Many utilities are now considering microgrids as an option to stabilize the local grid, defer future infrastructure investments, and distribution and transmission operations. Utilities could gain several advantages by incorporating microgrids into their long-term planning. Microgrids can help manage energy use and demand more efficiently across different times of day, which enhances the overall resilience and adaptability of the grid.

McIlmoil ultimately emphasizes the potential of microgrids to boost local resilience and grid stability while also reducing long-term costs for both utilities and their customers.

In the event of a natural disaster or other disruptive event, a microgrid can be essential for restoring power more quickly and completely, helping to prevent prolonged outages and ensuring continuous access to critical services such as water for affected residents.

Microgrids are controllable with respect to the main grid. They can operate either in grid-connected mode or in island mode, including fully off-grid applications. They can be powered by distributed generation sources or battery energy storage systems.

In the case of a power outage, microgrids can supply electricity to a specific building, such as a fire station, for an extended period. Multiple buildings and facilities can also be connected into a single microgrid, known as an "area microgrid." When a power outage occurs in that area, grid operators can redirect electricity to the microgrid to maintain supply. This setup allows several locations that provide critical services during a widespread outage—such as emergency response, healthcare, food, and shelter—to receive power from the same microgrid if they are located on the same distribution feeder, for example.

According to McIlmoil, businesses, military bases, universities, and other institutions are partnering with utilities to develop microgrids tailored to their specific energy goals. For instance, a fire station in North Carolina partnered with Duke Energy to build a microgrid at a nearby substation. The microgrid can power not only the fire station but also other surrounding facilities.