Successful microgrid development and operation requires careful coordination of complex systems, including distribution assets, DERs, advanced controls, and protection schemes to name a handful. This is a daunting but not insurmountable task even when a single entity has control and decision-making authority over a relatively simple microgrid (think residential or campus microgrids) but the difficulty grows exponentially as more players with disparate priorities become involved (e.g., communities, microgrid developers, regulators, distribution utilities, local governments). Despite that complexity, many argue that resilience at the community scale should be the holy grail as it achieves greater benefits, efficiencies, and equity.

PG&E has spent the last five years tackling those challenges and has developed and implemented a comprehensive framework that enables that vision of self-determination for its customers. This framework includes coordination across various stakeholders and adherence to applicable regulatory and legal regimes that govern our distribution grid. PG&E has developed a comprehensive process that includes a Community Microgrid Enablement Tariff, Microgrid Operating Agreement, Microgrid Islanding Study, Community Microgrid Enablement Program, Microgrid Incentive Program, Community Microgrid Technical Best Practices Guide, dedicated microgrid staff, and more. Together, these provide a complete framework for roles and responsibilities, ownership structures, regulatory compliance, project design and development, and operations and maintenance. Thus, PG&E customers are now the only ones in the nation with a tariffed guarantee that their distribution provider will partner with them to modify the electric grid to provide resilience. Further, robust resources have been made available to facilitate microgrid development.

In this session, PG&E will explain the various components of the framework (what they are, why they are needed, key considerations, and alternatives considered).  Emphasis will be put on creating a roadmap for other jurisdictions interested in implementing a similar model.