Small hydro | Small scale solutions
IWP&DC discovers how small hydropower is empowering communities through innovative solutions, ranging from microgrids to precision controls
Right: Representatives from utilities, government and industry gathered from across the US for the Microgrid in a Box ribbon-cutting and blackstart demonstration
IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY (INL) is spearheading groundbreaking advancements in microgrid technology, showcased by the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony of its revolutionary Microgrid in a Box. In partnership with Fall River Electric Cooperative, this portable grid system demonstrates how advanced hydropower controls and mobile microgrids can empower small communities to sustain critical services during emergencies. At the ribbon–cutting ceremony held on 21 July, power from the Microgrid in a Box simulated a critical load, while the team showed how the hydropower plant could be used to restore the grid after a simulated electrical grid blackout in a process called a “blackstart.” The new technologies showcased, developed by INL and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, demonstrate how communities with similar resources can maintain critical services during blackout emergencies. “There are hundreds of hydropower plants like this one serving small communities across the country,” said Thomas Mosier, INL’s Energy Systems Group lead. “What we’ve demonstrated are new technologies that can enable these communities to use the hydropower resources they already have to restart and maintain stable power to essential services, even during an emergency event.” Nearly 70 people attended the event, representing utilities, government agencies and industry from across the country.
What is the Microgrid in a Box? The Relocatable Resiliency Alternative Power
Improvement Distribution Microgrid in a Box, also known as RAPID MIB, is a portable, self-contained grid system developed by INL engineers in collaboration with private industry and government customers. It enables integration and optimization of multiple energy sources – such as hydropower, solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators or even small nuclear reactors – to ensure a reliable and resilient power
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supply in remote or off-grid locations, or during emergency situations or power outages. “Restarting a grid isn’t as simple as flipping a switch,” said Kurt Myers, INL’s Energy and Grid Systems Integration group lead. “It requires a steady power input that many small utilities alone can’t provide. Combining the tech built in to the Microgrid in a Box with the existing capabilities of the Fall River plant, we’re showing how communities with limited resources can recover and continue to function during an emergency.” Blackstart refers to the process of restarting and
energizing power generation units, transmission lines and distribution systems to restore electricity supply after a blackout or widespread power disruption. INL continues to innovate approaches for efficiently
recovering the power grid during these critical situations. This includes studying the resiliency and reliability of power systems, designing advanced control and communication systems, and testing new approaches to optimize the blackstart process. Many rural communities have untapped energy
resources that can enable them to maintain services, even during emergency events. INL, with support from the Water Power Technologies Office, is proud to partner with utilities like the Fall River Electric Cooperative to demonstrate and test these new technologies. “Fall River Electric Cooperative is focused on investing in technology that can improve the lives of our owner-members and this partnership with INL is a prime example,” said Fall River CEO Bryan Case. “The Microgrid in a Box test has accelerated our ability to deploy a hydropower and battery system to provide our members with electricity in the event of natural disasters or other local emergencies.” Through research, analysis, simulations and real-
world testing like the blackstart demonstrated at the ribbon-cutting event, INL is enhancing the ability of power utilities to recover from blackouts and minimize the impact on communities and critical infrastructure.
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