Microgrid and Smart Grid Company

What is a smart microgrid?

A smart microgrid utilizes sensors, automation and control systems for optimization of energy production, storage and distribution. Smart microgrids are designed to be resilient and reliable, able to quickly respond to changes in demand or supply disruptions.

Are microgrids self-contained?

But because microgrids are self-contained, they may operate in “island mode,” meaning they function autonomously and deliver power on their own. They usually are comprised of several types of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar panels, wind turbines, fuel cells and energy storage systems.

Is a microgrid considered an Electric Corporation?

A microgrid is likely to be considered an electric corporation if it intends to serve multiple, otherwise unrelated, retail customers, cross a public way with power lines, and/or obtain a franchise from a local authority. The reasons for this conclusion are discussed below in more detail.

Who owns a microgrid?

According to Navigant Research , the majority of grid-tied microgrids today are owned and financed by facility owners, especially in the campus/institutional category. It is important to recognize that microgrids, especially community microgrids, can utilize the existing distribution system infrastructure, radically reducing their costs.

Will grid-tied microgrid customers stay connected if the grid fails?

Although grid-tied microgrid customers will likely stay connected to the grid for the foreseeable future, only islanding in the case of utility grid failure, self-consumption of microgrid generated energy could erode the revenue base that has traditionally paid for utility infrastructure investments.

How does a microgrid system work?

The software, which is being tested in Colorado, is designed to coordinate real-time demand and supply from high numbers of energy-generating and storage devices in homes on a microgrid—solar panels, electric vehicles, smart appliances—by performing the advanced calculations via a small, inexpensive computing controller at each point on the grid.