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
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...]
With Flexibility, Eastern Grid Can Get More than 30 Percent Renewables Online
With increased flexibility, the eastern grid can get more than 30 percent renewables online, and at times, can boost its renewables penetration to up to 60 percent. That's the word from a new report from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), "The Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study (ERGIS)." To bring … [Read more...]
Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: Unsung Heroes of the Electric Grid
The new Microgrid Knowledge guide, Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: The Last Defense Against a Power Outage, looks at a technology that gets little attention but serves a crucial role on the electric grid. Reciprocating engine generators are often the last line of defense when all other resources fail in a power outage. That's just … [Read more...]