2026 Event Schedule

In today’s evolving distribution systems, microgrids play a vital role in enhancing reliability and resiliency, enabling seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), and improving power quality for end users. Central to these advancements is grid-forming inverter technology, which serves as the foundational enabler for modern, fully inverter-based microgrids.

While the goal is to streamline microgrid design, the technical, financial, and regulatory complexities require a careful, phased approach tailored to each project’s unique requirements. This course begins with an overview of microgrid types, business models, applications, and critical design considerations, with a particular focus on inverter-based microgrid architectures.

The core emphasis is on the operation, control, and protection of microgrids powered predominantly by inverters, highlighting grid-forming inverters as the primary energy sources within these advanced systems.

Participants will explore the following key topics:

• Overview of microgrid types, business models, and fundamental building blocks
• Performance requirements and relevant industry standards for inverter-based microgrids
• Methods for performance analysis and system studies tailored to inverter-based systems
• Operating strategies and essential requirements
• Comparison of grid-following and grid-forming inverters: control and protection characteristics
• Core microgrid functions and hierarchical control structures
• Protection challenges in grid-connected, islanded, and transition modes for inverter-driven microgrids
• Effective grounding techniques
• Protection solutions and design considerations: basic and advanced schemes
• Impacts of microgrid control strategies on protection in inverter-based environments
• Integration and testing methodologies for control and protection systems
• Real-world case studies and lessons learned from fully or predominantly inverter-based microgrid projects

This course is designed for engineers, system designers, and technical professionals seeking an understanding of inverter-based microgrid control and protection. It provides the practical considerations needed to design and operate resilient microgrid systems.