Fuel cell microgrids are on the rise, the result of a natural pairing of two technologies-fuel cells and microgrids- that serve a mutual mission. Together, they meet today’s demand for energy that is cost-competitive, highly reliable, clean, quiet, contained, modular, scalable and community-friendly. Once futuristic, both technologies find … [Read more...]
Reciprocating engine generators are becoming increasingly important to help solve three contemporary energy problems. The first problem occurs in developed areas like North America, where electric reliability is crucial as the economy grows ever more Internet-based. The second problem can be found in remote regions of the world, where no … [Read more...]
Movement is a foot worldwide to bring new intelligence to conventional or ‘dumb’ generation. The gas turbine microgrid is central to this smartening of power generation. The term dumb generation describes the kind of conventional power plants, wind turbines or solar panels that have been used for decades. They produce megawatts, but do nothing … [Read more...]
Duke Energy Corporation is an energy utility that serves 7.4 million electric customers in six states in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States. Prompted by recurring severe weather events and a goal of incorporating more renewable generation into the electric power grid, Duke Energy decided to integrate their existing renewable … [Read more...]
With their grid-interconnectivity advantages, the integration of advanced microgrids will improve system4 energy efficiency and reliability and provide enabling technologies for grid-independence to end-user sites. One popular definition that has been evolved and is used in multiple references is that a microgrid is a group of interconnected loads … [Read more...]
The U.S. Department of Energy defines a microgrid as a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. Microgrid benefits help us connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or … [Read more...]
How can we increase the amount of photovoltaic (PV) generation? From this viewpoint, we are overviewing elec- tric facilities from power plants to electric appliances in demand sites. PV modules generate DC electric power. The power should be converted to AC that is synchronized with commercial grids to be transmitted and distributed to demand … [Read more...]
Attention and promise is one thing – true growth and value is another. Today, renewable energy has clearly landed on the second half of this equation. Once the domain of well-meaning early adopters, renewable approaches now involve a broader array of practices, products and technologies put in place by an ever-expanding roster of ROI-driven … [Read more...]
On October 29th, 2012, Superstorm Sandy slammed into New York City’s shoreline. In the days and weeks that followed, the New York City Subway system and all but one of the road tunnels entering Manhattan with severely flooded, entire neighborhoods were decimated and millions of customers in New York City and on Long Island lost power – many for … [Read more...]
This Special Report from Microgrid Knowledge paints a picture of the emerging microgrid-driven world. It also explains topics like district energy and combined heat and power (CHP). You'll learn how a CHP microgrid improves the economics and energy efficiency of a microgrid. Local energy promises lower costs, more reliable electric supply, storm … [Read more...]
S&C Electric’s US President Michael Edmonds talks about a problem not caught by old-school reliability measures — momentary power outages that disrupt sensitive equipment. The problem is growing, he says. The cause may surprise you.
All power systems also require the capability to balance, in real time, differences between load demand and generator output. This balancing capability—which keeps system frequency at the level where it’s designed to operate—is critical to ensure the stability and reliability of the overall power system, for both centralized power grids as well as microgrids. In a centralized grid, fossil-fuel-fired generating plants typically will ramp up or down to ensure demand and generation output remains in balance.
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