https://phys.org/news/2018-07-ways-electric-microgrids.html

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory study the impact of microgrids and analyze ways to assimilate them smoothly within the larger electric system. Part of this work focuses on the distribution system—the last leg of electricity's journey from energy source to outlet.

"Traditionally, distribution systems have operated as passive networks, with one-way power flow from bulk energy sources to individual customers," says Ning Kang, a scientist in Argonne's Energy Systems division, who works on microgrid interconnection, integration and control strategies with colleague and Principal Distribution Engineer Ravindra Singh.