2026 Event Schedule

Overview:

In this session, 3 utility panelists will share real-world experiences and insights from commissioning and operating utility-owned microgrids. As more utilities move from planning to implementation, new insights have emerged when verifying whether these microgrids perform as intended under real-world conditions. This panel will explore the challenges and solutions encountered during the transition from construction to operation, and the ongoing work of maintaining reliable, resilient microgrid performance.

Motivation:

As utilities deploy microgrids to enhance grid resilience, reliability, and flexibility, the commissioning and operational phases are revealing new technical and organizational challenges. From unexpected system behaviors to integration issues with legacy infrastructure, utilities are learning valuable lessons that can inform future deployments. This session aims to highlight those lessons and provide a forum for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing on what it takes to make utility-owned microgrids work in practice.

What to Expect

Moderated by EPRI, this panel will feature utility representatives from North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (NCEC), Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC), and Southern California Edison (SCE) who will discuss:

• Commissioning Lessons Learned
  • What went according to plan—and what didn’t
  • Testing protocols and performance validation
  • Coordination across internal teams and vendors 
    Operational Insights 
• Operational Insights
  • Real-world performance vs. modeled expectations
  • Monitoring, control, and optimization strategies
  • Managing transitions between grid-connected and islanded modes 
• Troubleshooting and Continuous Improvement
  • Common failure modes and how they were resolved
  • Software, hardware, and communications issues
  • Lessons for future microgrid designs and upgrades 

Key Takeaways

• Practical guidance for utilities preparing to commission and operate microgrids
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Recommendations for improving internal processes, vendor coordination, and system design
• Insights into how utilities are evolving their operational practices to support microgrids at scale