EPB’s New Microgrids to Enhance Power Reliability
EPB of Chattanooga has successfully launched five battery-based microgrids, providing a substantial combined capacity of 29 MW/58 MWh. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance grid reliability and reduce demand charges from its energy supplier, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
In the near future, EPB plans to add two more microgrids, increasing its current front-of-the-meter energy storage, which already stands at 45 MW/95 MWh. The president of EPB’s energy and communications division, Ryan Keel, highlighted that another 45 MW of storage is expected within the next year.
Looking ahead, EPB is set to implement an advanced control platform developed in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This technology will allow the microgrid boundaries to adapt based on power demand and supply availability.
The microgrid project received support from the U.S. Department of Energy, underscoring its importance in providing reliable electricity, especially during peak demand periods. Katie Jereza, assistant secretary at the Department, emphasized the benefits of microgrids, stating they make electricity more dependable and help cut costs during high-demand times.
EPB services approximately 200,000 customer meters in a diverse area, including urban and semi-rural locations. Recent data indicated that during a cold snap last January, the utility saw its peak demand reach approximately 1,350 MW.
The newly established microgrids will play a significant role in managing monthly demand charges, which can make up a large portion of the utility’s power expenses. These charges are determined by the highest demand hour of each month, incentivizing the utility to leverage energy storage effectively.
Under its agreement with TVA, EPB’s use of energy storage does not count toward its self-generation limits, and the utility anticipates achieving between 100 MW to 150 MW of energy storage on its distribution system within the next few years.
In collaboration with Oak Ridge, EPB aims to develop microgrids that can flexibly respond to changing conditions and enhance the overall reliability of the power distribution system. The integration of microgrids will also ensure critical infrastructure remains resilient against extreme weather events and other disruptions.
As EPB works towards creating a smaller battery-based microgrid in a more rural section of its service area, it aims to strengthen the reliability for communities that frequently experience outages. This aligns with a nationwide push towards improving grid resilience, backed by significant funding from the DOE aimed at replacing aging infrastructure and enhancing energy storage capabilities.
Overall, EPB’s initiatives are set to solidify the utility’s ability to meet rising energy demands while ensuring the region’s residents benefit from reliable and efficient power solutions in the future.