Top 10 microgrid white papers of 2021 — Funding and building microgrids for resiliency
COVID-19 continued to disrupt life and the energy industry in 2021. In the face of a global pandemic, we’ve also seen greater threats to our energy grid from wildfires in California and intense storms along our southern and eastern coasts. In light of these challenges, who better to turn to for expert advice and strategies than microgrid and clean energy industry leaders. One of the outlets for such information is the full library of microgrid white papers.
Microgrid Knowledge’s Top 10 microgrid white papers of 2021 came from energy leaders such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, S&C Electric, Eaton, Mesa Solutions, Instant On, Ameresco, Sapling Financial and Scale Microgrid Solutions.
The most popular microgrid white papers make clear that energy customers are interested in learning about funding and building microgrids. Cost, efficiency and resiliency are key factors that they’re considering.
Below you will find the Top 10 most downloaded white papers on Microgrid Knowledge in 2021, covering everything from how microgrids are designed to energy storage and why clean energy microgrids make sense.
1. 5 Steps to Develop Microgrids Easier, Faster and at Less Cost
Siemens
To help avoid the pain points that can wreck the financial and operational assumptions for a project and turn a win-win into a lose-lose for developers and their customers, Microgrid Knowledge has prepared this five-part special report, a microgrid developers guide, made available for free download, courtesy of Siemens.
2. California’s Critical Facility Challenge: The Case for Energy-as-a-Service Municipal Microgrids
Schneider Electric
If California does not modernize its grid and power delivery infrastructure via sustainable premium power provided by microgrids, the state will find it difficult o meet not only its economic and public safety needs, but also its aggressive carbon reduction and renewable energy goals. This white paper, commissioned by Schneider Electric, answers one of the most commonly asked questions: How can today’s governments pay for the vital energy infrastructure upgrades they need? Enter energy-as-a-service municipal microgrids.
While hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes have been the chief perpetrators of widespread US power outages in the past, an even more devastating foe has emerged in California: wildfires. Photo by Fsmelo/Shutterstock.com
3. How to Build a Microgrid
S&C Electric
Even if you have defined some of your microgrid needs, it can be easy to overlook the details. Missing these details can result in increased costs and project delays. This handbook from S&C Electric is designed to provide industry best practices and help you avoid common mistakes when building microgrids.
4. How to Design and Operate a Microgrid
Eaton
This paper describes the design and operation of the microgrid installed for the US Department of Defense at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. To learn more about how to design and operate a microgrid, download this white paper.
5. How to Get Off the Electric Grid, Stabilize Cost & Increase Efficiency
Mesa Solutions
When a half dozen beneficial and complementary capabilities present themselves for optimal use all at once, it can be challenging to tell the story linearly. This report from Mesa Solutions explores how to get off the electric grid while retaining and increasing reliability, efficiency and cost stability.
6. How to Optimize Energy Storage in a Microgrid
Eaton
Microgrids have received attention recently because of their ability to provide higher energy surety, quality and security while also providing sustainability and energy efficiency. In this paper, new voltage sensitivity indexes are proposed that can help you optimize energy storage in your microgrid.
7. Microgrid Business Models and Value Chains
Schneider Electric
The new energy industry is working to categorize the various types of microgrids and business models. The primary goal is to minimize microgrid system cost and funding. This paper from Schneider Electric explores microgrid business models and value chains.
8. Nanogrids: A New Opportunity for the Solar Industry
Instant On
Solar energy has the ability to provide immense benefit to society and the grid. But solar’s full potential isn’t being realized. The report, courtesy of Instant On, is designed to help boost awareness and understanding of solar nanogrids.
By foxbat/Shutterstock.com
9. The Rise of Clean Energy Microgrids & Why They Make Sense
Ameresco
All microgrids offer greater electric reliability. But the clean energy microgrid does more. It also reduces carbon emissions and helps organizations reach sustainability goals. This report explains why clean energy microgrids make sense for hospitals, higher education institutions, military and government, and businesses.
10. Think Like a Financier to Win Funding for Your Microgrid Project
Sapling Financial and Scale Microgrid Solutions
This special report lays out how investors and other financiers think about energy projects. The aim is to help move a microgrid from the drawing board to reality by preparing engineering firms, developers and project sponsors to think like those in the lending community.
Interested in learning more about microgrids? Explore our library of microgrid white papers.
