Government policy and energy markets are inextricably intertwined in the United States. Policy and regulation drive (or hamper) growth in energy markets. At the same time, energy technologies increasingly shape climate and infrastructure planning in cities, states and the nation. For these reasons, it’s significant that a dozen leading microgrid … [Read more...]
Leading Microgrid Companies Launch Coalition to Encourage Pro-Microgrid Government Policy
June 3, 2021 By 3 Comments
Educating Customers About 3 Key Microgrid Benefits
June 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment
What microgrid benefits incentivize customers to adopt the technology? The ability to decarbonize, achieve resiliency and lower costs top the list, according to Alex Savelli, executive director of power generation at Cummins. Cummins is especially focused on decarbonization through use of hydrogen — including in fuel cells and electrolyzers. … [Read more...]
Microgrid Knowledge Names Three Winners of the 2021 Microgrid Greater Good Awards
June 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment
This year’s Microgrid Greater Good Award winners provide essential services to refugees in Uganda, electrify a birthing clinic in Kenya and keep food fresh and safe in South Australia. The awards were announced today at Microgrid 2021, a virtual conference hosted by Microgrid Knowledge. Microgrid Knowledge launched the award program three … [Read more...]
Balancing Microgrid Goals: Can Carbon-Free Electricity Alone Guarantee the Lights Will Stay On?
June 1, 2021 By 1 Comment
Microgrids can be carbon-free or fully reliable, but generally not both — at least not yet, according to most experts on a Microgrid 2021 panel that looked at balancing microgrid goals. The debate comes as businesses and institutions are striving to reduce the risk their power could be cut off, according to Matt Roberts, panel moderator and … [Read more...]
In Pro-Microgrid Move, Hawaii Becomes Second State with Microgrid Tariff
May 28, 2021 By
In what could be a model for other states, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a microgrid tariff for its major utilities. The decision is the culmination of a roughly two-year process, but the PUC is already preparing for a second phase in its development of rules governing microgrids. The first phase centered on rules … [Read more...]
Maryland Agency Awards $566,000 in Microgrid Grants
May 28, 2021 By
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) issued $566,000 in microgrid grants to eight organizations to fund feasibility studies, planning and design for projects. The funding is from the agency’s Resilient Maryland program, which aims to help eligible organizations and governmental entities set up microgrids, resiliency hubs, resilient … [Read more...]
BRIC Microgrid Opportunity Grows as Biden Doubles Funding to $1 Billion
May 28, 2021 By
In an opportunity for microgrids and energy storage, the Biden administration has doubled to $1 billion the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a grant program for infrastructure resiliency. The additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program will allow more communities to … [Read more...]
Calculating Reliability for Microgrids Means Understanding Risks, Consequences
May 24, 2021 By
A new white paper from PowerSecure explores how to calculate reliability for microgrids, including the need to understand the risks and consequences of outages. In the face of uncertain times, there is a great need for highly reliable power solutions. The number and duration of outages are increasing and because solutions to large scale outages … [Read more...]
Reliability and Sustainability: Must They be at Odds?
May 23, 2021 By
Can all microgrids be 100% renewable, 100% reliable and still affordable? It’s a question that dogs the microgrid industry as it strives for low carbon energy production, but also must guarantee the power will not go out in places like hospitals and water plants. Fossil fuel generators often act as backstops at critical facilities. This week … [Read more...]
Xcel Energy Moves Ahead with Wisconsin Microgrid Pilot not Paid for in Rates
May 21, 2021 By
Xcel Energy is launching a resiliency-as-a-service pilot for its commercial and industrial customers, with Xcel paying for 90% of the behind-the-meter microgrid costs upfront, getting paid back by the microgrid users over 10 years, and excluding the costs of the program from the rate base. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission May 13 … [Read more...]
