Idaho National Lab launches electric power test grid

Published on January 14, 2022 by Dave Kovaleski


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© INL

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory has put one of the nation’s most comprehensive electric power grid test beds into service.

The test grid allows experts from across the federal government and private industry to develop and demonstrate technologies that improve security and enhance resiliency. The test grid, with investments totaling $40 million, has been outfitted with modern equipment, flexible infrastructure, and advanced transmission and distribution capabilities representative of much of the nation’s power infrastructure.

The test grid, rated up to 138 kilovolts, includes up to 32 miles of reconfigurable distribution line, 16 miles of transmission line, full fiber-optic communications, and transformers capable of supporting demonstrations at 15, 25, and 35 kilovolts.

Further, it includes four 2,500-square-foot research pads designed to house large pieces of equipment for conducting power load testing, smart grid assessments, and energy storage experiments. An additional 40,000-square-foot test pad and equipment storage building will be completed in 2022.

The entire system is operated from a new, on-site command center. The command center features control systems and real-time power management equipment that allow sections of the test grid to be isolated for specific high-risk demonstrations.

“Real world testing and validation is a critical component of grid modernization efforts,” Patricia Hoffman, acting assistant secretary of DOE’s Office of Electricity, said. “Optimized to represent the wide range of distribution system configurations found across the country, the newly energized grid test bed at INL enables greater flexibility in assessing new ideas and technologies to better advance innovation to protect the nation’s critical electric infrastructure. The enhanced test bed offers a collaborative environment for labs, industry, academia, and the government to leverage shared resources and will be used to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies for vital advancements like distributed energy resources and grid-scale energy storage.”

Plans to build the test grid were first outlined in 2013. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) helped procure the initial funding.

“Protecting critical infrastructure, including the electric power grid, is one of our nation’s most important priorities,” Simpson said. “The grid and cybersecurity experts at INL are among the best in the world, and I was pleased to support their vision to construct this test grid and create a research environment that will benefit all Americans.”