LSU Engineering Researchers Develop RESCUE Plan

Project Addresses Need for Power Grid Resilience in New Orleans

As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the resilience of power grids has become a critical concern—especially in disaster-prone areas like New Orleans. Ensuring that energy systems can withstand and recover from disruptions is essential for maintaining public safety and economic stability. Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, LSU Engineering researchers have developed The Resilience and Equity in Smart Community-Utility Energy Planning (RESCUE) project that aims to address these challenges by developing innovative community-aware strategies for energy resilience and equitable resource distribution.

Led by LSU Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Amin Kargarian, along with LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professor Celalettin Ozdemir and LSU Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Mehdi Farasat, RESCUE focuses on designing and testing coordinated resilience planning and energy management approaches. The project has the potential to not only benefit New Orleans but also serve as a scalable model for Louisiana and the broader national energy landscape.

The primary goal of the RESCUE project is to develop energy resilience strategies that ensure energy distribution, especially in vulnerable communities. The project will enhance power grid resilience by implementing proactive operational planning.

“The project aims to safeguard critical infrastructure, such as substations, before disasters occur,” Kargarian said.

Through detailed planning, rigorous testing, and real-world implementation, the RESCUE project seeks to advance how communities prepare for and respond to energy disruptions.

Amin Kargarian

The project will also develop utility-community coordinated planning by establishing a hierarchical energy distribution system, considering the energy needs of individual households and entire neighborhoods. It will also improve post-disaster energy management. The project will account for community energy needs, particularly in at-risk populations, to ensure that energy resources are distributed efficiently, preventing disparities in access during crises.

At the heart of the RESCUE project is the development of an advanced energy management algorithm. This algorithm will optimize power consumption.

“By utilizing a robust communication network and a tiered customer system, the algorithm will prioritize energy use in real-time, ensuring that critical facilities receive power during emergencies,” Kargarian said.

The framework will be designed to be adaptable across different regions, allowing other communities facing similar energy resilience challenges to implement these solutions effectively.

“Through detailed planning, rigorous testing, and real-world implementation, the RESCUE project seeks to advance how communities prepare for and respond to energy disruptions,” Kargarian said. “By fostering a collaborative relationship between utilities and communities, the project not only enhances energy resilience but also ensures that all residents—especially those in vulnerable areas—have equitable access to power.”

With the potential to set a new standard in smart energy management, RESCUE represents a crucial step toward a more resilient power grid in New Orleans and beyond.

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