Microgrids are on the rise in the U.S., but not quickly enough for the millions in the Southeast who lost power this week – and continue to have none days later -- following Hurricane Irma. Perhaps most poignant, Irma underscores what loss of electricity means to senior citizens, a potentially life-threatening situation when air conditioning … [Read more...]
Ameren's new Illinois microgrid demonstrated that it's able to seamlessly disconnect from the grid and run on renewable energy during a 24-hour microgrid islanding test this month. S&C Electric and Ameren conducted the test at a 1.475 MW microgrid in Champaign that the Midwest utility unveiled in May. Microgrid islanding -- the … [Read more...]
As discussion around development of a smart grid has steadily increased, so too has talk about smart microgrids. A critical ingredient for smart microgrids is energy storage. Energy storage can play a major role in facilitating use of renewable energy resources to power microgrids, while also protecting power stability and reliability within the … [Read more...]
With a dark legal cloud lifted from demand response, the resource is likely to find new life on the grid. But what about demand response in microgrids? Demand response – where a utility or grid operator signals customers to reduce energy use and pays them for doing so – overcame a challenge from power generators with a favorable ruling last … [Read more...]
Poised for rapid growth, the microgrid industry looks a lot like solar and independent power in earlier days. Key players are moving into place to capture market share; regulators are trying to sort out their role; utilities are watching. But U.S. microgrids also face some unique twists -- and undeniable ruts in the road. Two microgrid … [Read more...]
Anthony Colonesse, vice president of Ameresco’s Energy Security Group, describes the evolution of Ameresco’s microgrid business strategy — from energy efficiency to today’s battery storage advances.
Microgrid are integral to initiatives that aim to strengthen the economy, save lives during natural disasters, and make our energy supply more sustainable and our electrical power more secure. Microgrids increasing support more reliable, efficient and safe power for critical infrastructure. To learn more download this white paper.
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