MCAS Miramar Microgrid Operators Conduct Islanding Operations

By Eric Hahn, Faculty Associate-Research, Energy Academic Group

MCAS Miramar recently conducted successful microgrid islanding operations from the Energy and Water Operations Center (EWOC). During the operation, each day between April 20–22, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW) Metro Production Office (MPO) ramped up their power plant, and then seamlessly disconnected from shore power on the site creating a microgrid “island” on a portion of the base. They remained “islanded” for 4 hours each day, and then seamlessly connected back to the utility source at the end of the operation. The purpose of this “Test Mode” was to practice microgrid island operations without losing power to any base facilities. Upon conclusion of the test MPO worked with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE) to restore the base back to its normal configuration (a primary single feeder from utility). On Saturday, April 24 MPO conducted a full microgrid island test, which meant cutting power to the entire base starting at 1000. MPO then conducted a “black start” (no municipal power from SDGE) of the microgrid system/power plant to restore the base load. MPO then moved quickly to test functionality, successfully syncing with, and connecting back to their alternate “shore power” (municipal power feed from SDGE). MPO then tested a fully automated loss of utility power and automatic microgrid restoration. This was essentially the same sequence as the first test, but entirely automatic, simulating what would happen if the base lost power in the case of an unmanned system. At the conclusion of all testing MPO seamlessly restored the base to utility power again. Practice makes perfect, and this successful “Test Mode” practice demonstrates resiliency in the event of municipal power disruption.