Schematic of the CERTS Microgrid DER are autonomous generating, storage, and load control technologies that are typically located at customer premises and operated for the customer's benefit. They include microturbines, fuel cells, photovoltaic systems, and traditional internal combustion engines. CERTS is evaluating how these resources, when deployed in large numbers, affect and could be modified to enhance electricity grid reliability the microgrid, an interconnected network of DER that can function connected to a separate from the electricity gird. CERTS is investigating optimal microgrid design, including the power electronics necessary to connect microgrids effectively to the power grid; conducting field tests of microgrid operation; and assessing the system reliability services that microgrids might provide. Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) systems store energy in the magnetic field created by the flow of direct current in a superconducting coil which has beencryogenically cooled to a temperature below its superconducting critical temperature. A typical SMES system includes three parts: superconducting coil, power conditioning system and cryogenically cooled refrigerator. Once the superconducting coil is charged, the current will not decay and the magnetic energy can be stored indefinitely. Flywheel energy storage (FES) works by accelerating a rotor (flywheel) to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as rotational energy. When energy is extracted from the system, the flywheel's rotational speed is reduced as a consequence of the principle of conservation of energy; adding energy to the system correspondingly results in an increase in the speed of the flywheel. A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. [1] Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used. Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a continuous source of fuel and oxygen/air to sustain the chemical reaction whereas in a battery the chemicals present in the battery react with each other to generate an emf. Fuel cells can produce electricity continuously for as long as these inputs are supplied. Bus coupler is a device which is used to couple one bus to the other without any interruption in power supply and without creating hazardous arcs. It is achieved with the help ofcircuit breaker and isolators A flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) is a system composed of static equipment used for the AC transmission of electrical energy. It is meant to enhance controllability and increase power transfer capability of the network. It is generally a power electronics-based system. Islanding refers to the condition in which a distributed (DG) generator continues to power a location even though electrical grid power from the electric utility is no longer present. Islanding can be dangerous to utility workers, who may not realize that a circuit is still powered, and it may prevent automatic re-connection of devices. For that reason, distributed generators must detect islanding and immediately stop producing power; this is referred to as anti-islanding Pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric power generation used by some power plants for load balancing. The method stores energy in the form of potential energy of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. A static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), also known as a "static synchronous condenser" ("STATCON"), is a regulating device used on alternating current electricity transmission networks. It is based on apower electronics voltage- source converter and can act as either a source or sink of reactive AC power to an electricity network. If connected to a source of power it can also provide active AC power. It is a member of the FACTS family of devices. Uses[edit] Usually a STATCOM is installed to support electricity networks that have a poor power factor and often poor voltage regulation. A Unified Power Flow Controller (or UPFC) is an electrical device for providing fast-acting reactive power compensation on high-voltage electricity transmission networks. It uses a pair of three-phase controllable bridges to produce current that is injected into a transmission line using a series transformer. The controller can control active and reactive power flows in a transmission line. The UPFC uses solid state devices, which provide functional flexibility, generally not attainable by conventional thyristor controlled systems. The UPFC is a combination of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and a static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) coupled via a common DC voltage link. The UPFC allows a secondary but important function such as stability control to suppress power system oscillations improving the transient stability of power system TCR/FC .A thyristor controlled reactor is used in combination with a fixed capacitor bank when reactive power generation is required. This is often the optimum solution for sub transmission and distribution networks supplying industrial loads such as electric arc furnaces, rolling mills and mining processes. The characteristics of a TSC/TCR combination are: Continuous control No transients Elimination of harmonics by tuning the capacitors Compact design series and parallel active power filter (SAPF and PAPF)