SDG&E reveals four remote operable microgrids to increase San Diego grid resilience, reliability

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) recently set up four microgrids with advanced remote operation capabilities and new safety technologies to increase grid reliability and resilience for the communities of Clairemont, Tierra Santa, Paradise and Boulevard, California.

In all cases, the microgrid and affiliated energy storage sites should help tackle growing energy demands in the area and fill in some of the gaps from solar power. Built on the backs of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, these islands of power were envisioned as particularly useful for SDG&E during hot summer days and peak evening hours when solar power generation diminishes and grid strain increases.

“Storage and microgrids are key to helping build a more resilient electric grid that can extend the availability of cleaner energy and help our communities better manage through grid emergencies like the extreme heat experienced in recent summers,” Caroline Winn, SDG&E CEO said. “These microgrids will actively dispatch clean energy to the grid when needed and help improve energy resiliency for critical facilities like fire stations, schools, and cooling centers in San Diego.”

These microgrids have another advantage: real-time monitoring. This should allow faster response times to any adverse events, increase storage management efficiency and improved grid resilience for overall improved performance. The deployments were approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in 2021.

If needed, the microgrids will be able to operate independently from the regional grid, with a combined storage capacity of 39 MW and 180 MW hours spread across four substations. However, they will also be connected to the state energy market so the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) will be able to dispatch their energy as needed.