2018 Hurricane Season: Social and Engineering Constructs for Uniquely Re-Energizing (SECURE) Hurricane-affected Grids: A Post-Hurricane Michael Effort on Designing Resilient Grids

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This project seeks solutions for re-energizing the electricity grid in hurricane-affected regions bysynergistically considering the convergence of unique aspects of systems engineering, social science, andfield data. Specifically, it will include fragility (vulnerability), sustainability, and survivability (resilience)as the core principles of design and operation. The social science approach to this work includesunderstanding the perceived barriers and benefits of grid infrastructure that can increase resilience duringextreme weather events and routine storms. Field data, enabled by the participation of a utility affected byHurricane Michael, will play a crucial role in defining the solutions proposed using resilient microgrids.The currently affected electric grid in the Florida panhandle, combined with the heightened need forreliable access to electricity, provides a unique opportunity to re-engineer this critical infrastructure usingself-reliant, local, and resilient concepts such as the microgrid. In that regard, the team will use itsextensive body of work in the field of electric power microgrids, aimed at normal and disaster-recoverymodes of operation, to fulfill the requirements of a stable, reliable, and economical source of electricitysupply to communities. The work will consider social factors by extensive engagement with the people onthe ground including the more vulnerable populations affected along with those most involved in currentefforts in providing relief. This information will be used in a multi-criteria based prioritized design ofmicrogrids for minimizing fragility, including sustainability measures, and increasing resilience. This ideaof engineering the grid will create a template for Smart electric infrastructures, especially in the Atlanticcoast and Gulf of Mexico regions, so that they can all become prepared for future onslaughts fromhurricanes. The team includes engineers and a behavioral psychologist that are experts in electrical powersystems design and operation, resilient and sustainable systems engineering, and surveys-basedapproaches to identification and quantification of barriers and benefits. Collaborations with a municipalutility from the FL panhandle, entities engaged in Hurricane Maria related rebuilding efforts in PuertoRico, a national lab, and an international academic institution strengthen our team.The significant and transformative components of this RAPID proposal are: (a) engagement of localcommunities and utility to assess electricity supply needs; (b) engagement of relief/recovery providers inthe area for coordinating solutions; (c) design of specialized microgrids using multi-criteria basedpriority-oriented approaches; (d) co-optimization of design objectives including fragility, sustainability,and resilience of microgrids; and, (e) creation of template for resilience plan for hurricane-prone electricgrids. We will achieve the goals of this RAPID proposal by utilizing real data gathered from the ground,basing our design and operation principles on sound mathematics and engineering, modeling andsimulating on realistic test systems, and proposing validation techniques for future implementation in thefield.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.