Sectionalized microgrids: The key to regulatory assistance for unbundling reliability?

Abstract Are telecom precedents involving the development of premium reliability services transferable to electric utilities? Can electric utilities offer customers premium reliability services through microgrids? We believe sectionalization, a new network design, can preserve customer choice and ensure that incremental costs for premium services are not shifted to customers taking standard service – key objectives necessary to gain regulatory approval. We present three case studies to illustrate how sectionalization can be used.