Communities

Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) helps communities confidently implement clean energy solutions and access the breakthrough science they need to support their clean energy transition.

Aerial view of Cordova, Alaska shoreline with mountain range in background.

Achievements  

  • Increased grid reliability through validation  
  • Validated a more resilient microgrid  
  • Increasing grid reliability through hydrogen storage  

Projects

Read the stories of communities already using ARIES to help answer their clean energy transition questions.

Fairbanks, Alaska, Targets Transition Away From Coal With Help of Award-Winning ARIES Research

The U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Energy to Communities program helps local governments, utilities, and community-based organizations achieve their clean energy goals. Using the R&D 100 award-winning ARIES software Simulation and Emulation for Advanced Systems, NREL showed how large-scale wind power and a new battery energy storage system could be added to the grid in Fairbanks, Alaska, to improve reliability and facilitate Fairbanks' retirement of its 50-MW coal plant and 20-year-old nickel-cadmium battery. Learn more about how Simulation and Emulation for Advanced Systems is poised to continue helping Clean Energy to Communities cohorts by providing a clean energy sandbox to evaluate community energy plans.

ARIES Digital Twin Leads to Resilient Microgrid Deployment in Alaska

Microgrid sensing and controls have enhanced the resilience of the city of Cordova, Alaska, with support from ARIES. Using ARIES, Cordova validated its improved microgrid against plausible events, such as power loss from an earthquake or avalanche, allowing the local electric cooperative to observe and control the network with better precision. This is important for Cordova and indigenous communities throughout Alaska because microgrids are their last resort for energy and controls make it easier to adapt during critical events. Learn more about the impacts of this microgrid project.

Deploying the Nation's First 100% Renewable Microgrid With Seasonal Hydrogen Storage in Borrego Springs

San Diego Gas & Electric Borrego Springs microgrid is one of the largest in the U.S., serving 2,500 residential and 300 commercial and industrial customers. With the goal of operating on 100% renewable energy, NREL has helped San Diego Gas & Electric deploy advanced microgrid controls and large-scale battery energy storage for reliability. Building on these successes, San Diego Gas & Electric is looking to add increased flexibility into the system and fill the gap of long-term storage with hydrogen. This first-of-its-kind demonstration paves the way to resilient, fully renewable microgrids and new solutions for remote communities. Read more about the San Diego Gas & Electric collaboration.

Work With Us

Want to partner with us and take advantage of ARIES capabilities for your community? Check out our Work With Us page to learn how.

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