By Rod Walton, EnergyTech Senior Editor
Chicago-based electric distribution utility Commonwealth Edison has successfully completed final testing for a $4 million federal grant to show its unique microgrid can increase energy security and resiliency for customers.
ComEd reported that the tests were conducted on its Bronzeville Community Microgrid on Chicago’s south side. The Bronzeville Microgrid is actually a cluster of micro energy resources linked together, including solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, integrative controls and gas-fired gen-sets.
The tests on the microgrid demonstration how those distributed energy resources can be used to support operations and help provide resiliency to the grid during disruptive events such as storms and other natural disasters. These microgrids are relatively small in capacity and can either operate jointly with the main grid or island (disconnect and operate independently) from the grid.
“Demonstrating microgrid technology has presented numerous engineering challenges, and we’ve met them all,” Michelle Blaise, senior vice president of technical services for ComEd, said in a statement last week. “These technologies will support a higher level of service to communities throughout our region and drive the entire industry to a more resilient and sustainable future.”
ComEd started work on the Bronzeville Community Microgrid several years ago and expects to complete installation of the distributed energy resources sometime in 2022. The footprint of the microgrid includes more than 1,000 residences, businesses and public institutions, including 11 customers that provide critical public service including the headquarters of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments.
The first phase brings close to 2.5 MW of energy capacity, including 484 kW of solar energy panels on the Dearborn Homes public housing complex. The system also connects to the existing microgrid at the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Enchanted Rock was contracted to provide 5.5 MW in dispatchable natural gas-fired generation to support the microgrid as needed.
In addition, the Bronzeville Community Microgrid has provided ComEd an opportunity to demonstrate a number of advanced grid technologies. The $4 million grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
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(Rod Walton, senior editor for EnergyTech, is a 14-year veteran of covering the energy industry both as a newspaper and trade journalist. He can reached at [email protected]).
