DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, has issued a research call for proposals for a “Design Support Tool for Remote Off-grid Microgrids” which facilitates the design of microgrids that encompass mixes of generation assets and load profiles typical of remote communities. In addition, the tool must be capable of conducting such analyses as may be necessary to validate that corresponding design parameters, planned operational performance, and expected benefits of microgrids can be achieved effectively and economically. The developed tool should be readily usable by designers of microgrids for off-grid applications in remote communities. A remote community is defined as a distant, isolated, populated area within the Contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of the United States where there is either limited or no accessibility to an area electric power distribution system or high costs for electricity attributable to transporting or storing portable fossil fuels for electricity generation. The research call is open only to DOE National Laboratories, with multi-institutional collaboration required.  Applications must be received by June 30, 2015. More information is available on the NETL website

To learn more about the Energy Department's comprehensive portfolio of activities that focuses on the development and implementation of microgrids to improve reliability and resiliency of the grid, help communities better prepare for future weather events, and keep the nation moving toward a clean energy future, visit the microgrid section of the OE website.