Microgrids are often seen as emergency backup, but a panel at the Building an Advanced Energy Ecosystem Conference argued they should become everyday grid assets. EPRI's Jackie Baum noted that the power is on most of the time, so microgrids' distributed energy resources should also help utilities manage peak demand and voltage issues during normal operations. That value stacking is increasingly important as project economics depend on services beyond backup.
Data centers are driving the trend, with loads above 50 MW becoming common and some microgrids large enough to need transmission connections. But utilities still treat each project as a one-off. PNM's Jon Hawkins said there is no standardization in the microgrid world yet, making interconnection slower and more involved. To address this, Sandia National Laboratories is building test facilities that will subject commercial equipment to faults, cyberattacks, and stressed conditions, so utilities can rely on proven designs.
The panel also heard from Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, which is building five microgrids after a 2011 gas outage left communities without power during a cold snap. CEO Luis Reyes said the experience showed the value of localized infrastructure. While the source reports no disagreements among panelists, it notes that making microgrids predictable and repeatable remains a key challenge for widespread adoption.