| Resource Type | Case Study |
| Author / Source | Nicole Imeson (ASME) |
| Publication Date | October 2023 |
| Location | Alaska |
| Initiative Type | Technology, Partnership |
| Project Complexity | Advanced |
| Recommended For | Board, Staff |
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
Why This Matters for Rural Electric Co-ops
This case study shows how a remote Alaska co-op built a microgrid resilient enough to keep critical services running when a generation source or the wider grid fails. Cordova Electric Cooperative's islanded system has to keep the hospital, fire station, airport, and Coast Guard powered while withstanding avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, and while absorbing large seasonal load spikes from the fishing fleet.
A few parts are worth a closer look for other co-ops. The system sorts loads by priority, so operators can drop noncritical ones and keep critical services up. Smart meters let them disconnect and reconnect load in an orderly way, and a digital twin lets them test changes before deploying them. A co-op, especially one with a remote or islanded segment, can use this as a model for critical-load prioritization and microgrid resilience.
Key Takeaways
| › | The microgrid sorts all loads into four priority groups so operators can shed noncritical load and keep critical services (hospital, fire station, airport, Coast Guard) energized during a disruption. |
| › | 1,200 smart meters let operators disconnect and then systematically reconnect loads, preventing a second surge when bringing the islanded grid back online. |
| › | A digital twin of the system let engineers test resilience measures virtually before deploying them, a repeatable way to de-risk grid changes. |
| › | A community board of Cordova residents reviewed each improvement before implementation, a co-op-owned model for member input on major grid investments. |
Implementation Considerations
- Cost or Funding Requirements: This was a $6.2 million, three-year effort backed by five U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national labs, so the full build reflects major outside resources. A co-op should treat it as a source of transferable concepts rather than a program to replicate wholesale.
- Staffing or Technology Requirements: The design relies on battery storage, 1,200 smart meters, and digital-twin modeling, plus close coordination with large energy users. Smaller co-ops would likely need national-lab or vendor partnerships to build similar capability.
- Time-Sensitive Information: The project ran under a DOE Grid-Modernization Laboratory Consortium effort completed several years ago, so the specific program and cost figures are dated. Confirm current DOE resilience-funding pathways separately before assuming similar support is available.
Notable Examples
- Cordova Electric Cooperative: Remote Alaska co-op that built and owns the resilient islanded microgrid.
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
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