Spokane Microgrid Distributed Generation and Storage

Our team's mission is to design placement and integration of distributed generators and energy storage with the developing Spokane Microgrid.

Background
On November 17, 2015, a strong windstorm hit the City of Spokane. It severed the electric transmission from the Columbia River generating stations. It was over four weeks before Avista Utilities, the local electric power utility, fully restored electrical service.

Proposed Solution
Avista Utilities is working with Federal Programs such as Smart Cities to develop a Smart grid for Spokane. As a part of this Smart grid, a Microgrid will also be implemented. These improvements will improve reliability thus ensuring a greater level of service, and hopefully lowering cost accrued during blackouts such as the one caused by the windstorm.

Deliverables

 * A schematic detailing the interconnection of the distributed generators, the charge controllers, the battery banks, the converters, and the grid.
 * Low-scale simulation of the design
 * Map of recommend locations for distributed generators, battery banks, etc.