ComEd’s Bronzeville Microgrid: A Step Toward a Cleaner and More Secure Grid
Sri Raghavan Kothandaraman, manager for smart grid technology at ComEd, anxiously observed the computer screens in a white ComEd truck parked in Bronzeville. The screens displayed the pivotal moment when ComEd’s microgrid would disconnect from the main electric grid and rely on its own power sources to provide electricity to more than 1,000 customers in the historic South Side neighborhood.
As the electricity within the microgrid rose, the power from the larger grid plummeted to zero. Kothandaraman, who had dedicated seven years to the microgrid project, was overjoyed. “I was ecstatic,” he said. “I was literally jumping when I saw it go through successfully from grid-connect to island mode.”
The Bronzeville Community Microgrid, which recently came online, is the largest neighborhood microgrid in Illinois. The project, powered in part by solar panels at a midrise housing project, is part of a broader initiative to create a grid that is cleaner, more reliable, and more secure.
Microgrids, which deliver electricity in defined areas, have gained popularity due to the increasing focus on clean energy, climate change, cybersecurity threats, and extreme weather events. These microgrids, like the one in Bronzeville, can integrate locally produced renewable energy, such as solar power, into the larger grid.
Michael Pesin, from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, highlighted the benefits of microgrids, including their ability to protect against outages, save costs by optimizing electricity usage, and improve efficiency by using locally generated power.
ComEd received support from the Department of Energy to fund the $30 million Bronzeville microgrid project. Microgrid clusters, which enable microgrids to communicate and cooperate, are part of the Department of Energy’s vision for the future grid infrastructure.
Mark Baranek, senior vice president of technical services at ComEd, described the Bronzeville project as a “true urban microgrid,” serving a bustling city neighborhood with unique challenges, such as installing underground equipment in an area with railroads and CTA tracks.
Bruce Montgomery, a member of ComEd’s Bronzeville community advisory council, emphasized the significance of the microgrid for the community. Powered partly by solar panels at Dearborn Homes, the microgrid represents a step toward innovation and technology in Bronzeville.
The microgrid encompasses a portion of Bronzeville, including homes, businesses, and essential services like the Chicago Police Department headquarters. The microgrid’s design allows it to operate independently during major disruptions to the main electric grid, ensuring continuity of power for residents and businesses.
Solar power from Dearborn Homes, along with battery storage and natural-gas generation, contribute to the microgrid’s energy supply. The Chicago Housing Authority benefited from Department of Energy grants to install solar panels at Dearborn Homes, reducing electricity costs for the housing authority.
The next phase for the Bronzeville microgrid involves connecting with the neighboring microgrid at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Once operational, this innovative microgrid cluster will be the first of its kind globally, further enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the grid infrastructure.
Despite some delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bronzeville microgrid project is expected to be fully operational by late 2025 or early 2026, paving the way for a more sustainable and secure energy future.
For more information, contact nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com.
The US Department of Energy recently announced plans to invest in a new microgrid project in Bronzeville, Chicago. The project aims to improve the resiliency and reliability of the power grid in the area. The microgrid will utilize renewable energy sources and advanced energy storage technologies to provide reliable power during outages and emergencies. This investment is part of the department’s efforts to modernize and secure the nation’s power grid.