OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

“The unmatched breadth of ORNL’s grid research capabilities allows 

us to develop and deploy solutions for a grid that is flexible, secure, 

and resilient enough to face our country’s energy challenges.”

—Grid Systems Architecture Group R&D Associate Ben Ollis

Solutions for a 

Clean, Resilient Grid

ENGINEERING

power systems with 

modern electronics 

MODELING 

grid functions for 

improved resilience 

PROTECTING

the grid using novel 

cyber-physical 

security methods

AUTOMATING

control monitoring 

with sensors

SECURING 

communications 

and controls

A clean and reliable power grid is essential to America’s safety, security, health, and economic vitality. The nation’s power grid is one of our 

greatest strengths, yet it is uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical disruption, whether from natural events or deliberate attacks. 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) scientists and engineers work in close partnership with the private sector to develop innovations 

to modernize the grid and defend it from disruption while supporting decarbonization. 

Innovations for a Modern Grid

Monitoring—Increasing the visibility of grid assets by developing and embedding highfidelity sensors to provide essential data.

Modeling—Developing a model of the North American power grid that gives greater 

insight into energy system interdependencies and resilience investment needs as the 

nation adopts aggressive decarbonization goals.

Advanced hardware and controls—Developing advanced, intelligent power 

electronics–based devices to support renewable generation and to smooth transmission 

and distribution across the grid. Engineering advanced controls for microgrid networks to 

increase resilience and balance loads. Creating algorithms for transactive controls to levelize 

demand in response to price signals and utility loads.

Megawatt-scale energy storage—Expanding energy storage to support renewable 

energy and supply-and-demand resilience, with solutions ranging from solid-state seawater 

battery systems to low-cost redox flow batteries, microgrid networks, mechanical energy 

storage, and recycled electric vehicle batteries.

Cyber-physical risk mitigation—Advancing sensing, alternative timing sources, data security, 

and software tools to eliminate cyber and physical threats to grid operations.

ORNL and partners use the 

realistic proving grounds at ORNL’s 

Grid Research Integration and 

Deployment Center to develop, 

validate, demonstrate, and deploy 

innovations spanning all grid 

sectors for a clean, secure, and 

resilient power system.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy January 2023

Partnerships and Collaborations 

We work closely with organizations such as Southern Company, EPB of Chattanooga, Duke Energy, 

Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Research Institute, and the University of Tennessee, 

Knoxville. ORNL also partners with other universities, hardware and cybersecurity firms, and other 

national laboratories to devise and deliver solutions for a clean, secure, and resilient electric grid.

Recent Impacts

Microgrid controls—Creating and testing open-source, cyber-secure software for the 

efficient control of distributed energy resources and developing advanced controls for 

networked microgrids 

Connected neighborhood—Deploying advanced controls in homes with integrated solar 

generation and energy storage, to manage flexible energy loads for grid resiliency 

Power electronics development—Developing and testing advanced power electronics 

components to integrate renewable energy and energy storage while ensuring the smooth 

flow of electricity across the nation

Energy storage—Creating new, low-cost methods for grid-scale electricity storage, 

including new redox flow battery components, a system to store electricity in pressure vessels, 

and packs using secondary electric vehicle batteries

Sensors—Developing low-cost and high-fidelity sensors to increase situational awareness of 

the grid and protect critical assets 

DarkNet—Exploring methods to better secure grid communications and controls

Cybersecurity solutions—Developing unique, trusted software to automatically detect 

and deter cyberintrusion

Secure, quantum communications—Developing a new method to defend grid control 

signals from intrusion by using quantum communications 

Comprehensive Capabilities

COMMANDER Testbed—Developing and evaluating controls for networked microgrids 

informed by real-world operating data for better grid resilience

Advanced Power Electronics Test Beds—Assembling and validating new devices to 

support renewable energy integration and resilient electricity transmission

AC/DC Hybrid Distribution Lab—Integrating hardware and software for control capabilities, 

testing innovations for modern, intelligent power distribution

Battery Manufacturing Facility—Open-access battery research facility developing and 

building advanced batteries for grid and transportation applications

Goal Operations Analytics Laboratory—Analyzing grid data for situational awareness and 

deploying sensors for grid protection

Powerline Conductor Accelerated Test Facility—Enabling accelerated testing of 

components for power transmission lines

Eagle-I, Outage Data Initiative Nationwide, and North American Energy Resilience 

Model—Providing grid monitoring and situational awareness using data science paired with 

real-time data from utilities and energy suppliers 

US Department of Energy Manufacturing Demonstration Facility—Developing 

innovative low-cost manufacturing methods and materials

CONTACT:

Madhu Chinthavali

Energy Systems Integration & 

Controls Section Head

chinthavalim@ornl.gov

865-341-1411

2360 Cherahala Blvd. 

Knoxville, TN 37932

ornl.gov/gridsecure

ORNL’s close partnership with EPB 

of Chattanooga supports use of 

the utility’s smart grid as a living 

laboratory to test breakthroughs such 

as secure quantum communications, 

advanced sensor technologies, and 

microgrid network controls.

The Grid Research Integration 

and Deployment Center at ORNL 

combines multiple electrification 

research activities across the utility, 

buildings, and vehicle spaces into 

one 52,000 ft2 facility.