San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) plans to release a request for proposals (RFP) next month seeking a microgrid controller to help it manage energy storage and renewable energy. The California utility issued a notice Tuesday signaling the upcoming RFP, scheduled for release Wednesday, December 21. The utility seeks microgrid technology … [Read more...]
Electrical Equipment Manufacturers See a Future in Microgrids
September 12, 2016 By
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
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...]
California Aims to Simplify and Standardize Microgrids
September 8, 2016 By
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
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...]
With Flexibility, Eastern Grid Can Get More than 30 Percent Renewables Online
September 6, 2016 By
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...]
ABB Microgrids Elevated to Corporate ‘Next Level’
September 5, 2016 By
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...]
Good News for Microgrids from California Climate Bills
September 1, 2016 By
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...]
Reciprocating Engines and Microgrids: A Natural Fit
August 31, 2016 By
From the Microgrid Knowledge guide, Reciprocating Engine Generators and Microgrids: The Last Defense Against a Power Outage, this article looks at the natural fit between reciprocating engines and microgrids. Microgrids are not a new idea; in fact, there are microgrids that have been operating for decades. But it wasn’t until after Superstorm … [Read more...]
Microgrid Roadmap Building Continues in California…ViZa to Bring Microgrids to Africa with Jabil Inala
August 30, 2016 By
The California Energy Commission plans to hold its next microgrid roadmap workshop 10 a.m. PT, September 6 at the Secretary of State Building in Sacramento. The state launched the series of workshops in May to set priorities for microgrid policy and help the industry standardize, commercialize and drive down costs for consumers. The CEC is … [Read more...]
