It’s been a hot summer in Texas, even into September, with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) again last week urging customers to use less electricity. Given these events, and new renewable energy options, businesses in the state are — no doubt — thinking about their energy choices. Microgrid Knowledge will explore issues … [Read more...]
A collaboration between ABB and China electric bus (e-bus) manufacturer King Long Motor Group holds the promise of a flash-charging system for e-buses that opens the door to electric vehicle-to-grid and development of urban microgrids. ABB and King Long are in the midst of developing a pilot project in China. King Long is designing and … [Read more...]
There are many reasons why enterprises and organizations choose to install stationary engines at their facilities for on-site power. For example, they may use the generators for standby power, base-load power or built-in redundancy for critical assets. Stationary engines collectively have had an impact on air quality and public health. So … [Read more...]
Sunrun and Open Access Technology International (OATI) will create what they describe as the world's largest residential virtual power plant (VPP) by managing the electricity from some 1,000 rooftop solar-plus-storage systems to be installed on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Under a four-year contract beginning in 2020, Sunrun and OATI will … [Read more...]
Often communities don’t even start to think about microgrids until after a disaster, giving rise to the adage ‘follow the carnage’ to describe a common path to microgrid development. But in the Bahamas, if there is any good news, it’s that microgrids were already on their way before Hurricane Dorian. The head start is a result of … [Read more...]
The last entry in a new Microgrid Knowledge special report, released in partnership with Typhoon HIL, highlights how microgrid developers can use Hardware-in-the-Loop testing throughout a microgrid's lifecycle, not just during the design and construction phase. Verification of protection coordination Hardware-in-the-loop testing is a … [Read more...]
Electric boats may enable floating microgrids that could serve islands that have historically been powered by fossil fuels, according to a report from researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. “Powering small islands with reliable, affordable and green electricity is a big challenge due to their dispersed … [Read more...]
Good things don't always come easily. Microgrids are no exception. "The process of developing microgrids can be costly. It begins with a feasibility study reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, even before any design, procurement and installation," said Kay Aikin, CEO of US-based Introspective Systems."Moreover, those feasibility studies … [Read more...]
This guest post is adapted from a new white paper from the DOE's Rima Kasia Oueid that outlines the three microgrid development phases for public critical infrastructure microgrids. This entry explores Phase 3: Implementation. Implementing a microgrid requires significant time, effort and investment. There are many cost variables that must … [Read more...]
The California Energy Commission (CEC) Oct. 30 will release two energy storage solicitations totaling $31 million to support the state’s goal under SB 100 of attaining 100% fossil-free electricity by 2045. The commission wants to get the word out now because preparing energy storage projects and proposals can be time consuming, said Mike … [Read more...]
Schneider Electric’s Andy Haun explores how to use local generation to improve efficiency, resiliency and sustainability — specifically in the colocation and data center industries.
Local governments, military officials, university heads, utilities, water and waste facilities, as well as executives overseeing hospitals, transit, airports, and port authorities are exploring the feasibility of microgrids for their operations and seeking relevant examples to emulate. Download the guide developed by Rima Oueid, a senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy, focused on bringing the resilience, economic, and/or environmental benefits of a microgrid to water, health, transportation, education, and other critical public infrastructure.
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