A new report from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association details why there's a future in microgrids for association members--and everyone else. "Powering Microgrids for the 21st-Century Electrical System," lays out the business case for microgrids, identifies the technological advances that will increase microgrid use, and provides a … [Read more...]
The Vital Role of Reciprocating Engines in Remote Communities
September 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment
We offer a global view of reciprocating engines in remote communities in this excerpt from the Microgrid Knowledge guide, Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: The Last Defense Against a Power Outage. In a land where winter can bring only a few hours of sunlight daily—or none at all for 67 days in Barrow, Alaska the northern most … [Read more...]
Microgrid Player Hitachi on the Environment…Siemens and Software…S&C Project Award…ABB’s Microgrid Sails
September 9, 2016 By 1 Comment
Microgrid player Hitachi sets long-term environmental strategy Hitachi, a key player in the microgrid market, has set a target to reduce carbon dioxide 80 percent across the company’s value chain as part of a new long-term environmental strategy. Called "Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050,” the plan also calls for a 50 percent improvement … [Read more...]
California Aims to Simplify and Standardize Microgrids
September 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Cars have standard configurations: vans, mini-vans, and sports cars. Can we standardize microgrids the same way? That’s one of the issues that was explored Tuesday in the second of five workshops organized by the California Energy Commission in its effort to map out microgrid policy. "We may find in microgrids, there are four or five … [Read more...]
Energy Storage Grew 126%. And Surprise! California Did Not Lead the Way
September 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Energy storage grew 126 percent in the U.S. between the first and second quarters this year, according to a report released today by GTM Research and the Energy Storage Association (ESA). In all, the quarter saw 41.2 MW of new energy storage deployed, putting the industry on track for a second consecutive historic year, with an expected 287 MW … [Read more...]
Nested Microgrid Proposed for Town of New Paltz
September 6, 2016 By 4 Comments
Sometimes one microgrid in a single footprint is not enough. Sometimes a community needs a nested microgrid -- several separate microgrids in one -- to take energy reliability to a whole new level. A NY Prize contender, the Town of New Paltz, N.Y. has proposed such a project, a $12 million nodular microgrid to maintain energy supplies for … [Read more...]
Energy Storage is an Enabler for Microgrids
September 6, 2016 By 2 Comments
ABB's Bob Fesmire explains how energy storage is becoming more refined, and acting as an enabler for microgrids. Most of the time when people talk about microgrids, they talk about reliability (e.g., for a hospital or other critical load) and renewables. When people talk about renewables, they often talk about storage (e.g., to maximize the … [Read more...]
ABB Microgrids Elevated to Corporate ‘Next Level’
September 5, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Microgrids are not a new business for ABB. In fact, while much of the world is just becoming aware of the technology, ABB has spent the last 15 years installing about 11 MW of off-grid microgrids in remote areas of the world. Four years ago the Switzerland-based technology company began to significantly accelerate its microgrid operation. That … [Read more...]
RMI: What it Will Take to Improve Energy Access and Security
September 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Good News for Microgrids from California Climate Bills
September 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
California's passage of two aggressive climate bills offers good news for microgrids, since they can act as levers to help the state reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Once again, the state has led the climate change battle, this time with last week's passage by the state legislature of the two bills, SB 32 and AB 197. The bills aim to reduce … [Read more...]
