Pepco is seeking information on possible non-wires alternatives, such as distributed energy resources, to meet a looming constraint on its distribution system in Washington, DC. The request for information (RFI) grew out of the PowerPath DC grid modernization effort launched by the district’s utility commission in January. PowerPath DC … [Read more...]
Maryland Announces Funding for 14 Microgrid Projects
June 11, 2020 By 1 Comment
Maryland yesterday announced winners in its resilience solicitation, 14 facilities that speak to the range of operations now pursuing microgrid projects — from marginalized neighborhoods to food production operations to a marine terminal. The winners will divvy up $1.05 million provided by the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) Resilient … [Read more...]
Microgrid Installed for Low-income Apartments, First for Washington DC
January 28, 2020 By 1 Comment
In a first for Washington DC, a microgrid that combines solar and energy storage has been installed in an affordable housing complex. The Maycroft Apartment's $327,000 resiliency center includes a 70.2-kW rooftop solar array combined with a 46-kW/56 kWh battery system that can disconnect from the grid and provide power for up to three days … [Read more...]
District of Columbia Considers New Regulated Entity: The Microgrid Operator
June 4, 2019 By 2 Comments
A report released late last week for the nation’s capital calls for a new regulated entity known as a microgrid operator, part of the city’s far-reaching effort to modernize its electric grid. The 433-page report came out of a multi-year effort launched in June 2015 by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. The effort was … [Read more...]
Maryland Utility Proposes $44.2M Pilot for Public Purpose Microgrids
October 3, 2017 By 3 Comments
Pepco has filed a $44.2 million proposal with Maryland regulators to build two public purpose microgrids, designed to keep power flowing to essential societal services during a grid outage and bolster utility operations on normal days. The Exelon subsidiary petitioned for approval of the microgrids before the Maryland Public Service … [Read more...]
For Utilities, Electric Vehicles are the New Air Conditioners
May 5, 2017 By 4 Comments
Electric vehicles are quickly becoming one of the largest flexible loads on the grid in some areas, and the growth parallels the increase in numbers of air conditioners years ago, says a new study from the Smart Electric Power Alliance. However, the popularity of electric vehicles poses problems for utilities, which are finding that time-of-use … [Read more...]
Follow the Microgrids: Grid Transformation and the Exelon/Pepco Merger
April 5, 2016 By 2 Comments
If you want to track electric grid transformation, follow the microgrids. That was one of the lessons quietly underscored by the otherwise noisy regulatory review of the Exelon/Pepco utility merger, according to Rachel Gold, a senior associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute. When the $6.8 billion Exelon/Pepco merger closed last month … [Read more...]
Microgrid Institute Team to Design Suburban Maryland Microgrids
September 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A team led by Burr Energy (doing business as Microgrid Institute) will design, simulate, and test control systems for two suburban Maryland microgrids under a $1.2 million federal grant. The Microgrid Institute team expects to receive the funds over two years beginning in late 2014 for a microgrid in Olney, part of Montgomery County, and Ritchie … [Read more...]
Industry Insiders _Not_ Surprised that Utilities Like Microgrids
July 28, 2014 By 5 Comments
So it turns out that utilities like microgrids, contrary to the notion – almost lore – that they dread them as economic disruptors or technical headaches. In fact, utilities view microgrids as a business opportunity. That was the finding of a recent project that I had the pleasure of working on with the nice folks at Utility Dive, who … [Read more...]
