702.THE ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS IN ENHANCING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE
Keywords:
energy security, critical infrastructure protection, distributed energy resources, microgrids, power system stabilityAbstract
The resilience of critical energy infrastructure has become an increasingly important component of national security, particularly in the context of growing energy demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and the ongoing transition toward renewable energy systems. In North Macedonia, the partial blackout of 18 May 2025 exposed vul-nerabilities within the national power system when an overvoltage event resulted in the separation of the 400 kV and 110 kV networks and the loss of approximately 79% of the national electrical load. The event highlighted the potential consequences of infrastructure disruptions on the continuity of essential services and the functioning of society. This paper examines the role of renewable energy sources (RES) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure. Using a resilience-based framework grounded in critical infrastructure protection principles, the study analyzes how decentralized renewable generation, energy storage technologies, and microgrid architectures can reduce vulnerability to technical failures, supply disruptions, and cascading effects within the elec-tricity sector. In particular, emphasis is given to the contribution of solar photovoltaic systems, wind energy, and BESS in improving operational flexibility, supporting voltage and frequency stability, strengthening energy security, and enabling the continued operation of critical facilities during grid disturbances. The analysis demonstrates that the stra-tegic integration of RES and BESS can enhance the robustness and adaptive capacity of critical energy infrastructure by reducing dependence on centralized generation and imported fossil fuels while increasing the ability of the power system to withstand and recover from disruptive events. The paper argues that renewable energy technologies and energy storage should be considered not only as instruments of decarbonization but also as key components of national resilience and critical infrastructure protection strategies.References
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