MISO partnered with Ameren Illinois to investigate how distribution-connected Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in a microgrid would perform to support the MISO Energy and Ancillary Services Market (ASM). The goal of the Ameren Microgrid Pilot was to verify that a microgrid could effectively communicate and respond with MISO markets using existing infrastructure, with minimal modifications. As illustrated in a report finalized in 2022, the Pilot verified that MISO’s signals were received and responded to in a timely manner and that the distribution microgrid or DER on the distribution system could participate in MISO markets in the future.   

In addition to testing each of the DERs as single assets, an aggregate test was performed in which the microgrid determined which DERs to respond to the MISO dispatch signal. This gave the microgrid the most flexibility in meeting the dispatch request, which is important because of the variability of DERs. MISO was able to provide aggregate dispatch with Ameren, and the microgrid selected which components were used to respond. MISO individually dispatched all microgrid resources except wind, which was excluded from the test due to lack of wind.  

The results of the Ameren Microgrid Pilot demonstrate that MISO’s Order 2222 telemetry dispatch signals are generally achievable, depending on the services to be provided and the number of parties to which the signals must be provided. The additional communication layers and related signal delays identified in this pilot also showed that certain market product telemetry requirements (e.g., regulation) may not be achievable without additional measures being developed. In this case, for example, additional modeling work was required by the distribution operator to timely interact with the Local Balancing Authority telemetry.   

​"Exploring different problems with our partners and stakeholders helps create more clarity and vision for our future,” said Adela Creasy, Sr. Director of Technology Innovation. “This collaboration allows us to better appreciate and understand future challenges. To that end, we realize to continue these types of collaborative projects in the future, we should align future efforts with the Reliability Imperative to ensure we deliver value to MISO’s footprint.” 

View the full report here.