Networked Microgrids
Creating the controls and modern protection devices needed to securely network regional microgrids for grid stability and resilience.
Situational Awareness
Addressing the need for greater situational awareness by developing low-cost, high-fidelity, easily deployed sensors to constantly monitor the grid state. Modeling of the national grid to better understand its complex interdependencies.
Transactive Controls
Harnessing grid-edge devices to develop and deploy precise, automatic control of building loads to stabilize and secure the grid while providing comfort and savings.
DarkNet
DarkNet is designed to effectively shield the nation’s critical infrastructure assets from disruptive cyber and cyber-physical intrusion via public and commercial communication networks. To accomplish this, DarkNet will develop and implement a highly secure, resilient, communication architecture that includes critical information technologies, sensing, and advanced cybersecurity solutions to support all elements of the electricity enterprise and its supply chain. When fully implemented, it will ensure national continuity of operations, enable rapid restoration, and facilitate cost-effective, protective measures to mitigate the impact of cyberattacks, operational and physical threats, and natural disaster.
The new GRID-C Facility at ORNL brings together the lab’s SecuRe activities, including the Grid Operations and Analytics Lab (GOAL), testbeds for new smart grid controls and protection hardware and software, cyber-resilience testing, advanced power electronics, sensor platform R&D, transactive control of grid-edge devices, and grid-scale energy storage, and extreme fast-charging of electric vehicles.