Microgrids, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 28, 2021

Microgrid Brings Reliable Power to Connecticut’s Daughters of Mary Campus

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 and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Once the microgrid is complete, it will keep the power running or quickly restore it to these buildings during and after major storms in “island mode operation, in addition to providing regular electric and light services, according to a statement.

 The microgrid includes technologies to enable predictive management and optimization of energy use during both grid connected and island modes. By connecting to previous solar construction, this microgrid will produce about 545 thousand kWh of additional solar energy each year. When combined with the 1.3-million-kWh of lithium-ion battery energy storage, this microgrid's on-site power generation could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,300 metric tons each year.

The partnership formed for this project's community success includes Citizens Energy Corporation, a Boston-based non-profit energy company, which will develop, finance, own, operate, and maintain the microgrid system. The Daughters of Mary will purchase the electricity and pay for the system via an Energy Service Agreement with no upfront or operating costs. Additionally, Schneider Electric played a role in the design, engineering, and implementation of the microgrid.

The project received a State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Microgrid Design & Installation Grant for Critical Facilities to help offset the overall project costs. 

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