海角社区

Project Addresses Need for Power Grid Resilience in New Orleans

As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the resilience of power grids has become a critical concern鈥攅specially in disaster-prone areas like New Orleans. Ensuring that energy systems can withstand and recover from disruptions is essential for maintaining public safety and economic stability. Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation, 海角社区 Engineering researchers have developed The Resilience and Equity in Smart Community-Utility Energy Planning (RESCUE) project that aims to address these challenges by developing innovative community-aware strategies for energy resilience and equitable resource distribution.

Led by 海角社区 Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Amin Kargarian, along with 海角社区 Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professor Celalettin Ozdemir and 海角社区 Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Mehdi Farasat, RESCUE focuses on designing and testing coordinated resilience planning and energy management approaches. The project has the potential to not only benefit New Orleans but also serve as a scalable model for Louisiana and the broader national energy landscape.

The primary goal of the RESCUE project is to develop energy resilience strategies that ensure energy distribution, especially in vulnerable communities. The project will enhance power grid resilience by implementing proactive operational planning.

鈥淭he project aims to safeguard critical infrastructure, such as substations, before disasters occur,鈥� Kargarian said.

Through detailed planning, rigorous testing, and real-world implementation, the RESCUE project seeks to advance how communities prepare for and respond to energy disruptions.

Amin Kargarian

The project will also develop utility-community coordinated planning by establishing a hierarchical energy distribution system, considering the energy needs of individual households and entire neighborhoods. It will also improve post-disaster energy management. The project will account for community energy needs, particularly in at-risk populations, to ensure that energy resources are distributed efficiently, preventing disparities in access during crises.

At the heart of the RESCUE project is the development of an advanced energy management algorithm. This algorithm will optimize power consumption.

鈥淏y utilizing a robust communication network and a tiered customer system, the algorithm will prioritize energy use in real-time, ensuring that critical facilities receive power during emergencies,鈥� Kargarian said.

The framework will be designed to be adaptable across different regions, allowing other communities facing similar energy resilience challenges to implement these solutions effectively.

鈥淭hrough detailed planning, rigorous testing, and real-world implementation, the RESCUE project seeks to advance how communities prepare for and respond to energy disruptions,鈥� Kargarian said. 鈥淏y fostering a collaborative relationship between utilities and communities, the project not only enhances energy resilience but also ensures that all residents鈥攅specially those in vulnerable areas鈥攈ave equitable access to power.鈥�

With the potential to set a new standard in smart energy management, RESCUE represents a crucial step toward a more resilient power grid in New Orleans and beyond.

---

Like the College of Engineering on  or follow us on , , , and .