Idaho National Lab energy researcher building microgrid at home

"I wanted to take what I do at work and apply it to my home," Myers said.

Unlike most people, Kurt Myers enjoys bringing his work home with him.

The Idaho National Laboratory http://www.inl.gov researcher has installed eight solar panels on the roof of his Idaho Falls home and plans to add battery storage for backup electricity when utility power goes out. It is part of Myers’ quest to build a "microgrid" — a small electricity production and storage system that interacts with the larger electrical grid — at his home.

Myers tends to the battery bank that can store excess electricity from his home’s solar panels.

The project mirrors the research Myers conducts for INL. He designs renewable energy-based microgrid systems for military bases and other entities as well as tests batteries that could someday be used to store electricity for several days or weeks. His work supports INL efforts to safely, securely and sustainably expand energy supply and improve efficiency.

Most of Myers’ work is focused on integrating wind, solar and other renewables into the nation’s energy mix.

By Kortny Rolston, INL Communications & Governmental Affairs

Full Story: https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/257/feature_story_details/1269?featurestory=DA_606099