July 6, 2020
The emergence of microgrids in the energy sector could boost the growth of renewable energy throughout the state of New York and across the country. Today, we’ll give a quick overview of microgrids and the benefits they offer for both energy consumers and the overall health of our power grid.
What is a Microgrid?
A microgrid, as the name suggests, is a localized group of electricity sources. Microgrids generally operate connected to the centralized power grid, but are also capable of disconnecting and functioning autonomously.
This means that microgrids, although connected to the larger electrical distribution network, are capable of ‘islanding’. Islanding means that the microgrid is able to continue supplying power even when disconnected from the broader grid.
Microgrids are also capable of coordinating energy distribution within a certain defined area. Microgrids can take energy from one or more generation sources and distribute this energy within the defined locality.
What are the benefits of Microgrids?
In addition to the islanding and energy distribution capabilities noted above, microgrids could serve a number of other purposes. Microgrids could be beneficial for the implementation of community energy projects including:
Biomass Plants
Banks of Fuel Cells
Wind Turbines
Notably, microgrids could also prove beneficial in the event of a power outage. Generally speaking, most energy consumers have no way of storing electricity on-site at their home or business. This leaves consumers in a vulnerable position during power outages. However, with a microgrid, the level of autonomy from the main power grid could enable energy independence, even in the event of a blackout. If your solar panels go down during a power outage, then the microgrid’s autonomy from the traditional electricity grid could allow the panels to keep operating.
Outside of events like blackouts, microgrids could also improve the efficiency and sustainability of the power grid. With the use of modern technology like smart inverters, microgrids can enable the delivery and retrieval of electricity in a more efficient manner—compared to the use of long-distance transmission lines, feeders, and substations within the traditional grid.
This can also be a positive for the environment as microgrids reduce the usage of power plants. These power plants often emit a lot of carbon dioxide and so the reduction of their output would lower our collective carbon footprint and decrease pollution levels.
Of course, for microgrids to have the optimal community impact, they would have to be implemented alongside energy storage technologies. For example, the coupling of battery storage with a microgrid could enable a community to develop a flexible network of stored energy for the entire community, safeguarding everyone in the event of power outages. For microgrids to succeed and offer the greatest benefits to our communities, the implementation of other renewable technologies like energy storage systems will be vital.
If you want to develop your own project in Long Island, New York, or just learn more about microgrids and energy storage, then get in touch with YSG Solar today. Send us an email, or call at 212.389.9215 to learn more.
YSG Solar is a project development vehicle responsible for commoditizing energy infrastructure projects. We work with long-term owners and operators to provide clean energy assets with stable, predictable cash flows. YSG's market focus is distributed generation and utility-scale projects located within North America.
Sources:
http://nyssmartgrid.com/microgrid/
Image courtesy of NYS Smart Grid.