Laurie Guevara-Stone, writer/editor for the Rocky Mountain Institute's Solutions Journal, interviews RMI trustee Maria van der Hoeven about energy access and security -- two critical global issues. A member of RMI’s Board of Trustees since October 2015, Maria van der Hoeven has had a long career working on challenging modern energy issues. She … [Read more...]
Using Energy Storage to Improve Public Health in Disadvantaged Communities
August 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Here's another twist on why energy storage is a good thing. It can help clean the air and improve public health. Seth Mullendore of Clean Energy Group explains. Energy storage deployment has been ramping up at a rapid pace across the country, mainly because it can reduce electric bills and cut utility expenses. It is now time to consider another … [Read more...]
Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: What’s the Best Fuel for Use in a Genset?
August 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
From the Microgrid Knowledge guide, Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: The Last Defense Against a Power Outage, this article looks at the pros and cons of the fuels used in reciprocating engines. Electricity costs are determined largely by the price and availability of fuels used in power production. As a result, the power … [Read more...]
Amtrak Arrives in Microgrid Era Ahead of Schedule
August 23, 2016 By 1 Comment
Amtrak is running ahead of schedule. The Washington, D.C.-based national train giant is one of the first transit systems to plan a community microgrid so that it can keep its operations running during power outages. In the aftermath of the 2012 Superstorm Sandy, half of Sunnyside Yard had to rely on portable backup generators for a month due to … [Read more...]
Mount Kisco’s Home Run Community Microgrid
August 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Town of Mount Kisco, NY has proposed a community microgrid that is the energy equivalent of a home run. It touches all of the critical power bases by: Securing electric supply during power outages Reducing energy costs for its customers Contributing to New York’s clean energy goals with combined heat and power (CHP) and renewables … [Read more...]
What is a Reciprocating Engine Generator?
August 16, 2016 By 1 Comment
Everyone knows what solar and wind energy is. But ask, 'What is a reciprocating engine generator?' and most people are stumped. Yet this mainstay technology plays a crucial role in keeping on the lights. We define 'reciprocating engine generator' in this excerpt from the new Microgrid Knowledge guide, Reciprocating Engine Generators and … [Read more...]
A Microgrid Future: We Can See it from Here
August 11, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Radical decentralization may not be upon us yet. But microgrids are most certainly advancing. ABB's Bob Fesmire describes regulatory, market and technical changes needed to bring about a microgrid future. Next to distributed energy resources (and also because of them), microgrids have to be one of the hottest topics in the power industry at the … [Read more...]
Clean Energy Communities: NY’s New Program Helps Localities Lead the Way
August 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment
New York has launched a new Clean Energy Communities program that offers technical guidance and funds to help localities become more sustainable. NRDC's Donna DeCostanzo offers details. New York’s counties, cities, towns and villages now have additional support when it comes to advancing clean energy and combating climate change at home. It … [Read more...]
‘Optimized Microgrid’ at Algonquin College Achieves Positive ROI
July 29, 2016 By Leave a Comment
An optimized microgrid at Algonquin College demonstrates how to be a showcase for sustainability and earn a positive return on investment, in this excerpt from our new report “How Microgrids Can Achieve Maximum Return on Investment (ROI): The Role of the Advanced Microgrid Controller.” Algonquin College in Ontario, Canada is modeling how to become … [Read more...]
Community Microgrid Project Profile: From Disaster to Opportunity in Freeport, NY
July 27, 2016 By 1 Comment
Freeport, a village in New York, hopes to bring greater electric reliability to homes, businesses and critical facilities with a $35 million community microgrid. The Long Island community has proposed the project as part of NY Prize, a state-sponsored competition to encourage microgrid development. The downtown microgrid would serve 106 … [Read more...]
