Threats to power grids are expanding in the face of mounting cybersecurity and extreme weather concerns. A computational approach to better securing grid reliability and resilience is being developed by researchers from U.S. Sandia National Laboratories and New Mexico State University.

Grid resilience can be bolstered by ensuring microgrids can automate functions like balancing energy production with consumption and reconfiguring if part of the system is impaired. Dedicated algorithms coded intro grid relays are considered key to the realization of self-healing grids. Such grid relays embedded in microgrids of renewable energy supplies and local energy storage systems would rapidly restore power for critical infrastructure before operators can implement repairs and corrective actions.

To automate energy production and consumption regulation, an algorithm based on the process inverters designed to power microgrid operations use when overloaded was developed. Instead of stopping to regulate the voltage of a power supply during surcharge, the new system uses the decrease in voltage to signal relays to disconnect power to less vital customers like those in individual homes. A solution to troubleshoot unintentional loops was also devised, allowing an overloaded line relay to modulate voltage by opening and closing in a particular pattern.

The researchers plan to continue refining the algorithms in hardware-in-the-loop testbeds and medium-voltage facilities to improve the self-balancing and power delivery capabilities of microgrids under less-than-ideal conditions.