Microgrids | Page 7

In recent years, extreme weather events have resulted in power outages of increasing frequency, power, and duration across the country, driving up the cost of electricity and demonstrating the fragility of the utility grid. In this column from PowerFlex, Michael Robinson explains why microgrids are the ideal solution to create a sophisticated, resilient system that improves efficiencies, reduces fuel consumption, lowers GHG emissions, and saves money.

Montgomery County, Maryland, plans to reach its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2035 in part thanks to a fleet electrification project that will add a microgrid and an electric bus charging station to transition vehicles from diesel to electric.

More reliable, efficient power and restoration after storms are on the way for the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception campus in New Britain, Connecticut. An advanced microgrid system is under construction to bring renewable electricity to four campus buildings. 

Tasteful Selections announced March 25 that it is installing a 5 MW solar, natural gas and battery microgrid system at its specialty potato plant in Arvin, Calif., to cut its power bill by up to 40%.

The City of Rialto, Calif., announced March 17 the next phase of a plan to design and install a microgrid powered by biogas cogeneration, solar power and backup battery storage to power the city's wastewater treatment plant.

The U.S. Navy announced on Feb. 5 that it is installing a cleantech project to expand on-site generation, strengthen reliability and enhance resiliency at its Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The United States Air Force announced on Jan. 14 that it began construction on an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) including a combined heat and power plant with microgrid controls to improve energy resilience and enhance mission readiness at its Yokota Air Base outside of Tokyo, Japan.

Smart Energy Decisions will lead off its 2021 slate of events with the Virtual Innovation Summit, set for March 8-12, 2021. The fifth edition of the industry’s premier event will once again bring together energy, sustainability and facility man

The 2020 Distributed Energy Resources Study, conducted by Smart Energy Decisions and sponsored by NRG, explores the usage, consideration, drivers, and barriers for DERs among large electric power users. Among the findings: these customers want independence and control to choose their sources of energy - but first, they need to overcome the barriers of costs and economics of implementation.

The Port of San Diego announced Dec. 7 that it has awarded a contract for the construction of its 700 kW Microgird Infrastructure Project that will consist of a battery storage system and electrical infrastructure that could save the port $3.2 million in energy costs over 20 years.