In recent years, distributed energy resources (DER) have been receiving increasing attention worldwide, as alternatives to centralized generation. This is partly because of the many advantages offered by DERs, such as compact size, modularity, lower emission, and lower costs and losses in transmission and distribution (T&D), and partly because they are often an expedient alternative to the expensive and long drawn out processes of expanding or upgrading T&D. In the years to come, the penetration of DERs is expected to grow dramatically. The bulk of DERs will be integrated into existing distribution systems, with necessary upgrades, and today's distribution systems will evolve into microgrids. Microgrids can potentially make electric power systems highly reliable and secure.This presentation will discuss the tremendous potential of intelligent and autonomous microgrids as tomorrow's energy delivery system, and the need for cross-cutting research to enable this technology. The Power and Energy Systems group at New Mexico State University has been conducting research on microgrid architecture for several years, and some of these contributions will be discussed in this presentation. The discussion will focus on reliability-centered design, optimal expansion planning of distribution systems, and autonomous control of microgrids. The speaker hopes to stimulate discussion on directions for future research on microgrid architecture, and on opportunities for collaborative work in this emerging field.

Dr Joydeep Mitra is Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Associate Director of the Electric Utility Management Program at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces. He received his B.Tech. (Hons.) degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and his Ph.D. degree, also in Electrical Engineering, from Texas A&M University, College Station. Dr. Mitra's experience includes five years in industry and seven in academia. His research interests include power system reliability, distributed energy resources, and power system planning. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Sandia National Laboratories, Bonneville Power Administration, and Ottertail Power Company. Dr. Mitra is a Senior Member of the IEEE, and recipient of an NSF Career Award.