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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Microgridding the U.S. One State at a Time
August 23, 2016 By
Many revolutions in the U.S. electric power industry begin within states, where policymakers drive change to lower electric rates or green energy supply. This is proving true again as the ‘microgridding’ of the U.S. power grid begins. In the last three weeks alone, California, New Jersey and Washington state have issued grants or put forward … [Read more...]
Washington State Awards Money for Two Public Utility Microgrids
August 18, 2016 By
Another state, this time Washington, is rolling out money for microgrids as part of a larger clean energy effort. Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday announced that five clean energy projects will share $12.6 million in state grants. Two utility microgrids are among the five energy projects. One microgrid will be developed by Seattle City Light and the … [Read more...]
Off-grid Microgrids and Nanogrids on the Rise…Stem Wins with Storage-as-a-service…NY on Standby Charges
August 17, 2016 By
Here come the off-grid microgrids and nanogrids Navigant Research forecasts that annual revenue for off-grid power will exceed $25 billion in 2024 as remote areas of the world install microgrids and nanogrids. Nanogrids alone are expected to become a $17.5 billion annual business by 2024, driven by growing need to charge cellphones in the … [Read more...]
Decentralized Energy Receives Less Funding than Utility Projects: Report
August 15, 2016 By
Decentralized energy receives less funding than utility-scale projects, indicating a need to rethink policy, says a new report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). "Unlocking Climate Finance for Decentralised Energy Access" analyzes information from the Climate Funds Update database, which offers information on … [Read more...]
New Jersey to Offer Funds for Community Microgrids
August 12, 2016 By
New Jersey has kicked off a plan to incentivize community microgrids with $1 million in funds for feasibility studies. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is circulating a draft application to be used in the competition. The board seeks stakeholder input on the application by August 30. New Jersey has mapped 24 communities in 17 … [Read more...]
