Energy equity-centered planning of community microgrids

Journal article

Behnam Sabzi, Jian Shi, Gino Lim, Farzane Ezzati, Kailai Wang
Sustainable Cities and Society, vol. 130, 2025, p. 106485

DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2025.106485

View PDF

Cite

APA Click to copy
Sabzi, B., Shi, J., Lim, G., Ezzati, F., & Wang, K. (2025). Energy equity-centered planning of community microgrids. Sustainable Cities and Society, 130, 106485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2025.106485

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Sabzi, Behnam, Jian Shi, Gino Lim, Farzane Ezzati, and Kailai Wang. “Energy Equity-Centered Planning of Community Microgrids.” Sustainable Cities and Society 130 (2025): 106485.

MLA Click to copy
Sabzi, Behnam, et al. “Energy Equity-Centered Planning of Community Microgrids.” Sustainable Cities and Society, vol. 130, 2025, p. 106485, doi:10.1016/j.scs.2025.106485.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{sabzi2025a,
  title = {Energy equity-centered planning of community microgrids},
  year = {2025},
  journal = {Sustainable Cities and Society},
  pages = {106485},
  volume = {130},
  doi = {10.1016/j.scs.2025.106485},
  author = {Sabzi, Behnam and Shi, Jian and Lim, Gino and Ezzati, Farzane and Wang, Kailai}
}

Abstract

This paper examines the development of community microgrids (CMGs) as a strategy to address energy equity in under-served communities that have faced long-standing energy and environmental injustices. By introducing three novel equity-oriented indices-Community Energy Financial Index (CEFI), Community Energy Resiliency Index (CERI), and Community Energy Sustainability Index (CESI)—we provide a framework to evaluate and address energy-related inequalities. The framework quantifies how deploying CMGs can systematically improve access to clean and reliable energy. A two-stage stochastic mixed-integer programming model, utilizing Benders decomposition, is proposed to optimize CMG planning and operation under operational uncertainties. A case study of three energy-poverty neighborhoods in the Greater Houston area reveals significant improvements in energy equity metrics, such as affordability, cost-effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability, through targeted investment and strategic CMG planning. Our analysis demonstrates that, under various budget scenarios and technology selections, equity-focused CMGs consistently outperform the business-as-usual case and conventional approaches prioritizing cost minimization. These findings underscore the potential of CMGs to foster equitable, resilient, and sustainable energy systems for the future.

Keywords: Community Microgrid, Energy Equity, Energy Justice, Microgrid Planning, Benders Decomposition