Thomas Lyons, vice president – asset development, at Ameresco, highlights the growing role of microgrids in supporting economic development. Explore the potential. It’s fair to say that the United States’ aging and outage-prone grid infrastructure (coupled with increasing storm intensity) can hinder economic development. E Source estimates … [Read more...]
Cloud Computing Meets Microgrids in New Palo Alto Project
November 2, 2018 By 1 Comment
Cloud computing giant VMware is joining forces with one of the world’s tech capitals, Palo Alto, California, to explore the potential of community microgrid projects. The partners announced on Thursday that they will develop a proof-of-concept microgrid at VMware’s headquarters in Palo Alto. The project will test the resiliency offered by … [Read more...]
Connecticut’s UI Completes Woodbridge Microgrid
May 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
United Illuminating (UI) has completed the Woodbridge microgrid, a project funded through Connecticut's Microgrid Pilot Program. The microgrid will power police, fire and shelter services during storms, blackouts and other emergencies. Town and state leaders, including Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, gathered on Monday to celebrate the … [Read more...]
Four Good Reasons for Community Microgrids
July 6, 2015 By 4 Comments
It is clear why city leaders are turning their attention to community microgrids. Energy is the lifeblood of any contemporary community, and severe storms in recent years have revealed the vulnerability of the central grid. The American electorate knows this and is concerned. In a March 2015 Gallup poll 88 percent of those surveyed described … [Read more...]
New York Offers $40M to Boost Community Microgrids
February 11, 2015 By 5 Comments
New York is offering $40 million for community microgrids to cut energy costs and boost electric reliability, consumer choice, and energy efficiency. Called the NY Prize, the program has been in the works since January 2014, when it was announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. New York follows California, Connecticut and New Jersey in putting money on … [Read more...]
Massachusetts Awards $7M for Community Microgrid & Resiliency Projects
September 27, 2014 By 2 Comments
Massachusetts last week awarded $7.4 million for community microgrid and resiliency projects, part of a larger $40 million program aimed at preventing power outages that could jeopardize critical services in towns and cities. Six clean energy projects received the first round of grants from the Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative. “This … [Read more...]
Lessons for Cities Considering Community Microgrids
September 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
We can’t always count on electrical grids – as recent events like Superstorm Sandy have made painfully clear. Electrical power distribution systems do fail, and sometimes for long periods of time. That’s why community microgrids with energy storage are vital to keep power flowing to critical services, those that provide health care, energy and … [Read more...]
How to Make Many Community Microgrids: The Hunters Point Model
August 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
If neighborhoods controlled their power supply, chances are many would opt for clean and efficient energy, especially if it’s cost-effective. But energy choices aren’t left to the locals in the United States. Instead, utilities, cities and states determine our mix of power plants. Communities might have more say if they develop their own … [Read more...]
