S&C Electric’s Erik Svanholm explores the human element of building a microgrid, and what goes into advanced microgrid design. Much has been written about the vast technical progress in advanced microgrid design and the avenues to finance these critical systems. Understanding the complexities of design and finance is critical to a … [Read more...]
It Takes a Village to Build a Microgrid, and the Village Needs a ‘Mayor’
July 20, 2020 By 4 Comments
Microgrid Design: Ensuring Accurate Modeling when Incorporating Energy Management Systems
March 2, 2020 By 1 Comment
Energy management systems (EMS) both enhance and complicate microgrid design. Schneider Electric’s Andy Haun explains what it takes to ensure that modeling reflects outcome in today's sophisticated microgrids. There are countless variables to consider when making an investment into a microgrid, from the electrical distribution hardware, to … [Read more...]
PowerSecure Explores the Microgrid 360 Approach
October 23, 2019 By 3 Comments
Eric Dupont of PowerSecure discusses an approach called Microgrid 360 which follows a series of high standards designed to optimize each microgrid for its intended application. Microgrids are unique, with customer-specific customization occurring on many levels. They must be sized and connected appropriately to handle a certain amount of … [Read more...]
Using Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing throughout Microgrid Lifecycle
September 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment
The last entry in a new Microgrid Knowledge special report, released in partnership with Typhoon HIL, highlights how microgrid developers can use Hardware-in-the-Loop testing throughout a microgrid's lifecycle, not just during the design and construction phase. Verification of protection coordination Hardware-in-the-loop testing is a … [Read more...]
Dissecting the Planning Phase of Public Infrastructure Microgrid Development
August 22, 2019 By 1 Comment
This guest post is adapted from a new white paper on microgrid development by the DOE's Rima Kasia Oueid that outlines three development phases for public critical infrastructure microgrids. This entry explores Phase 2: planning. The planning phase involves significant preparation work for the project that begins with broader stakeholder … [Read more...]
Using Hardware in the Loop to Create a Microgrid Testbed
August 21, 2019 By 1 Comment
This post — part of a new special report — highlights how microgrid developers are using testing tools like hardware in the loop (HIL) to create microgrid testbeds, as well as what these testbeds can be used for. HIL to create microgrid testbeds The electric power grid is the world’s largest man-made system. It is also a very complex machine … [Read more...]
Building a Microgrid: Understanding Your Microgrid Life Cycle & Design
July 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment
What exactly does building a microgrid entail? It's important to understand your microgrid life cycle and ideal design. This is challenging — but key. That's according to a new report from S&C Electric that details industry best practices and common mistakes in building a microgrid. The financial, resilience, and sustainability impact … [Read more...]
Microgrid Technology: New Tools and Methodology Streamline Implementation
May 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Each microgrid project is different — and varies according to requirements, economic factors and more — but there is microgrid technology and a set of common goals that are universal to the design and operation phases. A new whitepaper from Schneider Electric takes a broad look at microgrid development and outlines common approaches to … [Read more...]
Driving Complexity out of Microgrid Design
July 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
In this week’s Industry Perspectives, Scott Manson, of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, explains why we need simpler microgrid design and more "elegant" control strategies. About two decades ago, one of the first programmable logic controller (PLC) systems I coded was controlling an expensive machine called a sheeter. This machine … [Read more...]
