What is a Microgrid?
Welcome to About Microgrids, a new section of Microgrid Knowledge that defines terms and concepts to help readers understand the growing usefulness and popularity of this form of distributed energy.
School District and City to Reap Benefits of Utility-Owned Microgrid, Thanks to Group Effort
How a utility, a city, and a non-profit came together to develop a utility-owned microgrid that will ensure electricity for a Washington state school district — even if the West experiences a major blackout.
Why HECO Drew Such Low Solar-Plus-Storage Prices
Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) is seeking approval for seven utility scale solar-plus-storage projects that could set a new benchmark for low-cost renewable power in the island state. Why are prices so low?
Storage is the Boss for Utility-Scale Microgrid Yielding 70% Renewables
A utility-scale microgrid that uses energy storage has slashed the use of diesel fuel and allowed for up to 70 percent renewables to serve a Portuguese Island.
DER Technology Comes of Age: Smart and Sophisticated
Today’s DERs do more than produce generation. As microgrids demonstrate, they’ve become sophisticated management tools for complex combinations of energy resources and can provide a range of new price, environmental and system efficiency benefits. This special report article takes a look at what market factors have led to the maturity of DER technology.
Industry Perspectives
A Case in Point of the First Utility-Operated Microgrid Cluster in the United States
Siemens’ Clark Wiedetz offers a lens into the first utility-operated microgrid cluster in the U.S., a Commonwealth Edison project on Chicago’s South Side that uses Siemens microgrid software.
About Microgrids
Here you’ll find microgrid 101 information. We define terms and explain concepts to help readers understand the growing usefulness and popularity of this form of distributed energy. We welcome you to send these article links to others who may want to learn more about microgrids.
Choosing the Type of Microgrid that is Right for Your Operation
So you’ve decided that your operation needs a microgrid. But what type of microgrid? Here's a guide to your choices in the latest installment of the Microgrid Knowledge "About Microgrids" series.
What is a Virtual Power Plant?
Virtual power plants turn on its head the traditional idea of relying on big, centralized power plants for predictable power. But what are they exactly? And who uses them and why?
