The most read Microgrid Knowledge articles for the first half of 2019 tell the story of an industry attracting larger players and building more sophisticated projects, particularly for communities and commercial and industrial facilities. Renewables and energy storage continue to dominate the discussion. Fuel cells appear to be gaining … [Read more...]
Eversource Takes Local Energy Concept to New Level with New Hampshire Microgrid Plan
May 24, 2019 By 3 Comments
Eversource plans to develop an energy storage microgrid in New Hampshire that takes the local energy concept to a new level by pairing the microgrid with a bring-your-own-device program. The project also offers an example of a path for utilities to develop microgrids when state rules allow utility ownership of energy storage. Charlotte … [Read more...]
Utilities are Giving Microgrids the Jolt They Need to Get Up and Going
May 21, 2019 By 1 Comment
This is the first in a series of articles focusing on ideas that emerged from Microgrid 2019, held in San Diego May 14-16. Here we look at "The Great Debate: What’s the Utility Role in Microgrids?" Until recently, the power industry focused almost solely on generating and delivering electricity through a centralized system. But changing times and … [Read more...]
Move Over, Lithium Ion: Thermal Energy Storage Finds a Niche
March 25, 2019 By 2 Comments
Thermal storage is gaining ground in refrigeration applications, providing demand management for one of utilities’ most energy-intensive industries. Industrial refrigeration consumes more energy per cubic foot than any other utility load, said Collin Coker, vice president, sales and marketing, Viking Cold Solutions. Thermal energy storage … [Read more...]
Eversource Pushes Ahead with 14.7-MW Battery Project on Martha’s Vineyard
February 15, 2019 By 1 Comment
Eversource is proposing a 14.7-MW battery energy storage project on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., that is designed to reduce the use of diesel generators on the island, provide voltage support, and defer construction of additional undersea cables to the island. “This battery storage system will help Martha’s Vineyard meet its energy goals and … [Read more...]
Non-Wires Alternatives: How Much, How Soon for Connecticut?
December 4, 2018 By 1 Comment
States increasingly employ non-wires alternatives to tease out where distributed energy offers a better deal than traditional utility infrastructure – wires, poles, substations. But in Connecticut the idea is running into controversy. Utilities in the state say it’s too soon to press ahead with non-wires alternatives, while the state … [Read more...]
Grid Modernization Slow in Massachusetts: Where are the Microgrids?
July 18, 2017 By 2 Comments
Massachusetts is coming up short in its five-year grid modernization effort, according to several stakeholder groups who recently filed comments on utility plans being reviewed by state regulators. At issue is the lack of innovation and vision by Massachusetts utilities, which some critics say will impede the state’s ability to accommodate … [Read more...]
Connecticut Offers Latest Funds from the $1.02B LREC & ZREC Program; Potential Microgrid Revenue
May 2, 2016 By 1 Comment
Connecticut’s investor-owned utilities have issued a request for proposals seeking low and zero emissions renewable credits (LREC/ZREC), which offer potential revenue for microgrids and other clean energy projects. State law requires that Eversource and United Illuminating make $1.02 billion in LREC and ZREC purchases from clean energy projects … [Read more...]
Mother Nature Maps Where We Need Microgrids (Again)
March 1, 2016 By 1 Comment
Mother Nature keeps hammering home where we need microgrids. Last week it happened again. More than 1.7 million electric customers lost power February 23-24 when a major storm swept the Eastern U.S. and Canada, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Assurance Daily. The storm was an example of the all-to-common pounding of wind, … [Read more...]
Microgrids Still Just R&D for Massachusetts Utilities?
September 9, 2015 By 1 Comment
Microgrids are typically considered a key element of today's grid modernization. But not so much in recent Massachusetts utility plans. Microgrids are relatively scant -- largely pilot or R&D proposals -- in recent grid modernization plans that Massachusetts utilities filed with the state. The proposals are signficant because they … [Read more...]
