Microgrid

Use Cases Energy Microgrid

	Microgrid

Overview	A microgrid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that normally operates connected to and synchronous with the traditional wide area synchronous grid, but can also disconnect to island mode and function autonomously as physical or economic conditions dictate. In this way, a microgrid can effectively integrate various sources of distributed generation (DG), especially Renewable Energy Sources (RES) - renewable electricity, and can supply emergency power, changing between the island and connected modes.Microgrids are typically supported by generators or renewable wind and solar energy resources and are often used to provide backup power or supplement the main power grid during periods of heavy demand. A microgrid strategy that integrates local wind or solar resources can provide redundancy for essential services and make the main grid less susceptible to localized disaster. Read More
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Overview

A microgrid is a localized group of electricity sources and loads that normally operates connected to and synchronous with the traditional wide area synchronous grid, but can also disconnect to island mode and function autonomously as physical or economic conditions dictate. In this way, a microgrid can effectively integrate various sources of distributed generation (DG), especially Renewable Energy Sources (RES) - renewable electricity, and can supply emergency power, changing between the island and connected modes.Microgrids are typically supported by generators or renewable wind and solar energy resources and are often used to provide backup power or supplement the main power grid during periods of heavy demand. A microgrid strategy that integrates local wind or solar resources can provide redundancy for essential services and make the main grid less susceptible to localized disaster.

Energy
Case Studies (11)

Discrete Manufacturing

	Controlling and Monitoring Microgrids Microgrid topologies offer several advantages over large traditional grids including increased resiliency and easier integration of distributed renewables. However, some challenges such as maintaining scalability and interoperability between diffferent vendors and connectivity protocol standards are challenges that have to be overcome in order to reap the benefits of such a system.
	New Sun Road Connects Uganda to Clean and Reliable Energy New Sun Road is a registered California Benefit Corporation committed to implementing solutions to climate change and global energy poverty. This group of talented engineers is partnering with Ugandan green energy startup GRS Commodities to deliver reliable and clean power to the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria, Uganda. The goal of the pilot system is to provide affordable and reliable solar powered electricity to businesses on Kitobo Island.Although no small feat, deploying the solar power grids is likely the simplest part of the solution. Solar was the obvious choice for the power source because it is economical and relatively simple to deploy.The primary difficulty lies in managing the energy grid and ensuring proper maintenance without having to be on-site at every location. The capability to remotely monitor the grid will enable New Sun Road to expand their service across the Ssese Islands in a more efficient manner since each grid can be monitored from one central location. But, in remote areas, where communication options are limited, how do you remotely monitor and manage a smart solar power grid?Without a local ISP, this can be a complex challenge, so the team decided to enable remote connectivity over the global cellular network.In addition to communication challenges, another major difficulty New Sun Road had to overcome was finding a device capable of withstanding the high temperatures within their network hubs. The device would be residing within a NEMA enclosure in direct sunlight, so the capability to function under extremely high temperatures was a must.
	deviceWISE Technology and m2mAir Cloud Enable Connectivity Envision Solar believes the IoT offers great value because communicating with the components of the charging stations and the company's other products enables design improvements and preventative maintenance through IoT's data intelligence.

The microgrid market is expected to grow from USD 19.22 billion in 2017 to USD 39.10 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 11.97% during the forecast period. Source: Markets and Markets The global microgrid market is expected to reach USD 17.51 billion by 2025,growing at a CAGR of 17.0% Source: Grand View Research Log in to view content

The microgrid market is expected to grow from USD 19.22 billion in 2017 to USD 39.10 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 11.97% during the forecast period.

Source: Markets and Markets

The global microgrid market is expected to reach USD 17.51 billion by 2025,growing at a CAGR of 17.0%

Source: Grand View Research

What is the business value of Microgrids? - It improves electric reliability: microgrids keep the power flowing by disconnecting (or islanding) from the central grid when it begins to fail. The microgrid’s generators, and possibly batteries, then serve the microgrid’s customers until power is restored on the central grid. - It enhances resilience/recovery: it immediately restores power to an entire building or operation, leaving occupants barely aware a disturbance occurred. It also is programmed to restore only critical services within a facility. - A microgrid can lower energy costs for consumers and businesses: it reduces costs through the efficient management of energy supply. Microgrids can earn revenue by providing ancillary services to the central grid. Ancillary services provide support functions for the grid, such as frequency control and spinning reserve. - It improves the environment and promotes clean energy: microgrids can employ a wide range of green power production technologies. These include solar, wind, fuel cells, combined heat, and power (CHP) plants, and energy storage technologies. Natural gas generators, used in many CHP plants, fall on the cleaner side of fossil fuels. What are its benefits even those outside its footprint? - A microgrid strengthens the central grid - It bolsters cybersecurity - It brings economic value to society - It improves community well-being Log in to view content

What is the business value of Microgrids?

- It improves electric reliability: microgrids keep the power flowing by disconnecting (or islanding) from the central grid when it begins to fail. The microgrid’s generators, and possibly batteries, then serve the microgrid’s customers until power is restored on the central grid.

- It enhances resilience/recovery: it immediately restores power to an entire building or operation, leaving occupants barely aware a disturbance occurred. It also is programmed to restore only critical services within a facility.

- A microgrid can lower energy costs for consumers and businesses: it reduces costs through the efficient management of energy supply. Microgrids can earn revenue by providing ancillary services to the central grid. Ancillary services provide support functions for the grid, such as frequency control and spinning reserve.

- It improves the environment and promotes clean energy: microgrids can employ a wide range of green power production technologies. These include solar, wind, fuel cells, combined heat, and power (CHP) plants, and energy storage technologies. Natural gas generators, used in many CHP plants, fall on the cleaner side of fossil fuels.

What are its benefits even those outside its footprint?

- A microgrid strengthens the central grid

- It bolsters cybersecurity

- It brings economic value to society

- It improves community well-being

Who is the target audience? Microgrid providers IT service providers Cloud service providers Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) System integrators and third-party vendors Software solution providers Government bodies Technology investors Enterprise data center professionals Research institutes and organizations Market research and consulting firms Log in to view content

Who is the target audience?

Microgrid providers
IT service providers
Cloud service providers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
System integrators and third-party vendors
Software solution providers
Government bodies
Technology investors
Enterprise data center professionals
Research institutes and organizations
Market research and consulting firms

What types of technologies are used within a smart microgrid at home? Smart meters allow for the two-way exchange of pricing, usage data, and electricity. Programmable smart appliances and devices that come on when the price of power reaches the consumer’s desired price point. User-friendly home energy control systems that allow customers to interface with the smart microgrid to automatically control every aspect of a home’s power usage. Energy efficiency improvements that help consumers use less energy and ultimately save money on monthly electricity bills. What types of technologies are used within a smart microgrid at work? Advanced energy control systems to make commercial buildings “smart.” Advanced lighting technology with digitally programmable controls that are responsive to the cost of power, the number of occupants in a building and where occupants are located. New heating and air conditioning technology that automatically adjusts building ventilation rates in real time based on occupancy, air quality, the cost of power or any other factors a manager chooses. New electricity generation systems that can provide power to individual buildings and supply power to the entire grid. And within the electricity distribution system? “Smart” switches, relays and sensors that replace their outdated and inefficient predecessors to allow the smart microgrid to manage and distribute power more efficiently and reliably. Redundant designs that provide a second source of power when recurring storms, ice and squirrels interrupt power. Protected infrastructure installed underground or within structures. Computerized controls that constantly scan for, and even anticipate, potential instabilities to correct problems before users experience any disruption in service. Log in to view content

What types of technologies are used within a smart microgrid at home?

Smart meters allow for the two-way exchange of pricing, usage data, and electricity.

Programmable smart appliances and devices that come on when the price of power reaches the consumer’s desired price point.

User-friendly home energy control systems that allow customers to interface with the smart microgrid to automatically control every aspect of a home’s power usage.

Energy efficiency improvements that help consumers use less energy and ultimately save money on monthly electricity bills.

What types of technologies are used within a smart microgrid at work?

Advanced energy control systems to make commercial buildings “smart.”

Advanced lighting technology with digitally programmable controls that are responsive to the cost of power, the number of occupants in a building and where occupants are located.

New heating and air conditioning technology that automatically adjusts building ventilation rates in real time based on occupancy, air quality, the cost of power or any other factors a manager chooses.

New electricity generation systems that can provide power to individual buildings and supply power to the entire grid.

And within the electricity distribution system?

“Smart” switches, relays and sensors that replace their outdated and inefficient predecessors to allow the smart microgrid to manage and distribute power more efficiently and reliably.

Redundant designs that provide a second source of power when recurring storms, ice and squirrels interrupt power.

Protected infrastructure installed underground or within structures.

Computerized controls that constantly scan for, and even anticipate, potential instabilities to correct problems before users experience any disruption in service.

What are the challenges of Microgrids in the electricity system? - Voltage and frequency control: active and reactive power generated has to be in balanced condition with the power consumed by the loads including the losses in the lines. In operation of the microgrid, a challenging task is to operate more than one distributed generation on the island; it is no possible to use the active and reactive power control. It is necessary to regulate the voltage during microgrid operation by using a voltage versus reactive power droop controller for local reliability and stability. - Islanding: it is a small-scale representation of the future interconnected grid with a high density of distributed generations. The microgrid provides a benchmark between island and the interconeected grid. It is can be used in the large interconnected grid with the high penetration of distributed generation. The islanding control strategies are very important for the operation of a microgrid in autonomous mode. - Protection: once a microgrid is formed, it is important to assure the loads, lines and the distributed generations on the island are protected. The two alternative current limiting algorithms to prevent the flow of large line currents and protection of microgrid during utility-voltage sags. There are as resistance-inductance feedforward and flux- charge-model feedback algorithms, for use with a voltage- source inverter (VSI) connected in series between the micro source and utility grids. Log in to view content

What are the challenges of Microgrids in the electricity system?

- Voltage and frequency control: active and reactive power generated has to be in balanced condition with the power consumed by the loads including the losses in the lines.

In operation of the microgrid, a challenging task is to operate more than one distributed generation on the island; it is no possible to use the active and reactive power control. It is necessary to regulate the voltage during microgrid operation by using a voltage versus reactive power droop controller for local reliability and stability.

- Islanding: it is a small-scale representation of the future interconnected grid with a high density of distributed generations. The microgrid provides a benchmark between island and the interconeected grid. It is can be used in the large interconnected grid with the high penetration of distributed generation. The islanding control strategies are very important for the operation of a microgrid in autonomous mode.

- Protection: once a microgrid is formed, it is important to assure the loads, lines and the distributed generations on the island are protected. The two alternative current limiting algorithms to prevent the flow of large line currents and protection of microgrid during utility-voltage sags. There are as resistance-inductance feedforward and flux- charge-model feedback algorithms, for use with a voltage- source inverter (VSI) connected in series between the micro source and utility grids.

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Microgrid

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