The controller orchestrates multiple resources to meet the energy goals established by the microgrid’s customers. This intelligence emanates from what’s known as the microgrid controller, the central brain of the system, which manages the generators, batteries and nearby building energy systems with a high degree of sophistication. Third, a microgrid – especially advanced systems – is intelligent. As long as the central grid is operating normally, the two function in a kind of symbiotic relationship, as explained below. Instead, microgrids typically remain connected to the central grid. While microgrids can run independently, most of the time they do not (unless they are located in a remote area where there is no central grid or an unreliable one). Learn more about microgrids by joining us at Microgrid 2022: Microgrids as Climate Heroes, a conference to be hosted by Microgrid Knowledge June 1-2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By islanding, a microgrid escapes such cascading grid failures. As we learned painfully during what’s known as the Northeast Blackout of 2003, a single tree falling on a power line can knock out power in several states, even across international boundaries into Canada. In the US, the central grid is especially prone to outages because of its sheer size and interconnectedness – more than 5.7 million miles of transmission and distribution lines. This islanding capability allows it to supply power to its customers when a storm or other calamity causes an outage on the power grid. Second, a microgrid can disconnect from the central grid and operate independently. A microgrid overcomes this inefficiency by generating power close to those it serves the generators are near or within the building, or in the case of solar panels, on the roof. Delivering power from afar is inefficient because some of the electricity – as much as 8% to 15% – dissipates in transit. Central grids push electricity from power plants over long distances via transmission and distribution lines. This distinguishes microgrids from the kind of large centralized grids that have provided most of our electricity for the last century. Microgrid defined by three key characteristicsįirst, this is a form of local energy, meaning it creates energy for nearby customers. Interconnected to nearby buildings, the microgrid provides electricity and possibly heat and cooling for its customers, delivered via sophisticated software and control systems. Some also now have electric vehicle charging stations. In addition, many newer microgrids contain energy storage, typically from batteries. Within microgrids are one or more kinds of distributed energy (solar panels, wind turbines, combined heat and power, generators) that produce its power. Here we set out to explain what we mean by “microgrid” at Microgrid Knowledge.Ī microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that serves a discrete geographic footprint, such as a college campus, hospital complex, business center or neighborhood. With all individual components working together, electric co-ops can collect, automate, analyze and optimize data to improve the operational efficiency of the microgrid.How is a microgrid defined? A few different definitions exist. * Requires consumer participation in thermostat or water heater demand response programs.Ĭoordination is key with a microgrid, and special hardware and software provide centralized control, allowing electric co-ops to dispatch various microgrid elements when needed. Wi-Fi enabled thermostats help heating and air conditioning units run more efficiently while providing the electric co-op an opportunity to reduce overall costs by trimming energy use.*Īdvanced electric meters allow for two-way communication between electric co-ops and members to help measure energy use, identify outages and enable means of reducing peak demand.Ĭharging electric vehicles at home can often allow co-op members to take advantage of special overnight electric rates, while helping to reduce energy use during hours of peak demand.Įven the humble water heater provides an opportunity for electric co-ops to reduce costs for the membership by switching off heating elements during times of high system-wide energy use, leaving plenty of hot water in the meantime.* Generators, powered by natural gas, propane or diesel fuel (or methane, in some agricultural applications) can serve as additional backup should power from the grid become unavailable. Photovoltaic solar panels, both on rooftops and in a shared community installation, can supplement power from the grid and help keep things running in the event of an outage. Larger batteries, especially tied to community solar, can serve a neighborhood. Energy storage inside homes provides a reliable, clean, quiet and cost-effective source of backup power.
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