A National Testbed
Thanks to the grant support (Award Number: 1947050) of the National Science Foundation, the DERConnect Research Facility was established at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 2025. The primary objective was to build a testbed that allows universities, utilities, and industry leaders to achieve a better understanding of how to integrate renewable energy resources into the power grid.
Showcase
See how the DERConnect is used by industry and academic users. The testbed is designed to be flexible and highly-configurable, allowing it to accommodate a variety of DER technologies and use cases. This makes it an ideal platform for showcasing the latest advancements in DER technology and demonstrating their potential applications in real-world scenarios. By providing a platform for testing and validation, DERConnect is helping to accelerate the adoption of DERs and promote the development of a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Research
Research conducted on the DERConnect testbed is driving innovation and transformation in the energy sector, advancing the development of cutting-edge technologies such as inverter-based microgrids and AI-powered power systems. By collaborating with academia and industry, we are accelerating the translation of research into practice, yielding impactful solutions that enhance power grid resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. Our research is informing industry best practices, shaping energy policy, and contributing to the creation of a more reliable, adaptable, and renewable energy grid, ultimately benefiting communities and the environment.
Outreach - Education & Workforce Development
The DERConnect project is committed to educating and training the next generation of energy professionals, providing a comprehensive range of resources and tools to support learning and development. Our "Projects in a Box" initiative offers students a wealth of materials and activities to explore DERs and power grid fundamentals. Additionally, we offer professional training programs, including simulator training, to help industry professionals enhance their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. By bridging the knowledge gap, we aim to empower a workforce capable of driving the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.