The Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP), Emera Technologies and Pepco are moving ahead on a residential microgrid project at a subdivision of net-zero, low-to-moderate income houses with the support of a $200,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The grant will support a community solar and battery energy storage system … [Read more...]
Emera Tech, Pepco, and Housing Partnership Move Ahead on Residential Microgrid in Maryland
Pepco Considers Non-Wires Alternatives, Issues RFI
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
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
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
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
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
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...]