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
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
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
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...]
How to Make Many Community Microgrids: The Hunters Point Model
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...]