New algorithm maps urban power sites using 24-hour grid simulations and local needs

Cities trying to add large power plants or battery storage facilities face a problem beyond grid capacity: finding a site that fits the surrounding community. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed an algorithm that helps utilities and planners identify locations for power generation and storage in urban areas. Unlike conventional site-selection methods that mainly assess technical factors, the new approach also considers zoning rules, historical sites, architectural value, local economic priorities, and community preferences. The tool combines these factors with a power-grid simulator to determine where an energy project could be placed and how large it should be. It can also account for changing energy policies and local priorities. Cities face tighter power constraints Urban regulations can significantly reduce the number of locations available for large energy projects. Zoning and noise restrictions alone can eliminate 20 to 30 percent of potential sites, according to researcher Rodney Itiki. The algorithm is designed to prevent planners from choosing a technically suitable location that may be unacceptable to the people living or working nearby. “The tool is revolutionary because previous study approaches were not considering the real world,” Itiki said. “They just started with a diagram of the energy system and picked a location based on that infrastructure, without incorporating the needs of the community.” The system uses a weighting method to account for factors such as energy policy, local regulations, and input from grid planners, urban planners, and other stakeholders. A city seeking to attract manufacturers, for example, could give greater weight to affordable electricity and new industrial jobs. Another area with data centers or military facilities could instead prioritize reliability and energy security. The algorithm can then use those priorities to help determine the appropriate type, size, and location of an energy project. Grid demand gets mapped hourly The tool also accounts for how electricity demand changes throughout the day. It simulates grid demand and power flows over a 24-hour period, allowing planners to see how a proposed project could affect the network as electricity use changes. That could be important in neighborhoods where demand rises sharply when residents return home and switch on appliances, heating or cooling systems. The researchers said the approach can be used for different types of energy projects and updated as local policies change. That gives utilities a way to reassess potential sites rather than relying on a fixed set of assumptions. The system is also intended to address situations where infrastructure competes with places that have historical, architectural or tourism value. A large battery installation, for example, may provide a strong technical solution but still be unsuitable beside a landmark or historic site. The researchers believe the approach could eventually be used beyond energy infrastructure. Potential applications include selecting sites for critical-materials mining, data centers, disaster-response infrastructure and facilities needed for major international events such as the FIFA World Cup or Olympics. The work was led by Itiki with researchers Suman Debnath and Qianxue Xia. It was funded by the DOE’s Integrated Energy Systems Office.The study was published in Energies.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.