SPI Insights

Kentucky – A recent energy study recommended a combination of nanogrid installations and regional community microgrids to achieve increased resilience in Kentucky. The study identified 558 sites suitable for nanogrid installations and 12 potential regional community microgrids.

An ideal deployment strategy would install nanogrids or microgrids at critical facilities in Kentucky such as national defense and law enforcement facilities, fire stations, hospitals, water and wastewater treatment plants, and emergency operations centers, as well as at gas stations and grocery stores, nursing homes, and cell towers.

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Office of Energy worked with a nonprofit education and research organization, to identify regions and develop the study. Using industry best practices of site energy resources and back-up power capabilities, the nonprofit evaluated the natural threats that pose risks to the state’s electricity distribution system and critical infrastructure.

An array of geospatial and quantitative data was assembled to look at Kentucky’s critical infrastructure and natural hazards. Data collection focused on critical facilities, load profiles, reliability hotspots, natural hazards, population density, urban areas, and energy burden.