As artificial intelligence drives explosive growth in data centers, electrical grids face mounting pressure to maintain voltage stability amid rapidly shifting, unpredictable demand. Sandia National Laboratories has responded by developing an intelligent control system that coordinates distributed energy resources in real time to keep voltage within safe operating limits without requiring expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Traditionally, utilities regulate voltage using mechanical devices such as capacitor banks and line voltage regulators that switch on and off intermittently. Sandia's approach leverages existing hardware—inverters, batteries, and solar installations already connected to the grid—to provide continuous, coordinated voltage support. The distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) uses artificial intelligence to forecast electricity supply and demand, coordinate device actions, and respond instantly to grid disturbances while respecting equipment constraints.
The team validated the technology through a rigorous progression from computer simulation to laboratory testing with real hardware. In Sandia's Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory, researchers used power hardware-in-the-loop testing to connect commercial power inverters and battery systems to a real-time grid simulator. This approach revealed practical challenges—such as communication delays and data-link slowdowns—that pure simulation cannot capture.
Field demonstrations at two sites in Lubbock, Texas proved the concept's real-world viability. At the Texas Tech University GLEAMM microgrid, which includes a data center, the DERMS controller reduced voltage swings significantly. Side-by-side testing with the controller enabled and disabled showed measurable improvements in voltage stability.
Beyond utility performance, Sandia emphasizes national security implications. Resilient local voltage control strengthens critical infrastructure's ability to withstand deliberate attacks or natural disruptions, ensuring mission-critical systems remain operational during emergencies.
The project has advanced to DOE Energy I-Corps Phase III, focused on commercialization and accelerating field deployments. Through extensive industry engagement, the team identified utilities' core need: intelligent tools that simplify grid-device coordination and equipment integration without imposing operational burdens. This iterative development process positions DERMS as a scalable solution for utilities navigating an increasingly complex, distributed energy landscape.
