Microgrids are becoming more and more prevalent for good reason. Microgrid options act as modern approaches to solving multiple energy challenges. But choosing a microgrid can be difficult, and they are expensive; complex systems, and may require more time to engineer and install than other solutions.
That’s why a new handbook from S&C Electric is designed to help determine whether a microgrid is the best solution for you and to prepare your team if you decide to pursue building one.
What problems are you trying to solve?
Bottom line: Outages cost you and your customers money. In this digital age, people expect to be connected at all times, and even short outages are increasingly unacceptable.
Weather is also an unpredictable challenge, and natural disasters can cause massive damage. And technologies exist that harden the grid and improve resiliency.
Further environmental concerns include geographical challenges, such as mountains or forests, that can make it difficult or expensive to deliver reliable power.
According to S&C Electric, new technologies and emerging social concerns are causing significant energy industry disruption.
These include grid defections, where some customers, especially in the commercial/industrial sector, have opted to generate their own power to lower costs and control reliability, using the electric grid instead as backup power.
Further, there is also increasing pressure to reduce harmful gases and use renewables in lieu of fossil-based generation.
Part of this change is spurred by the fact that coal and nuclear plants are rapidly being replaced with renewable energy and natural gas generation.
“Adjusting to new fuel mixes means strategies must change,” S&C pointed out. The existing infrastructure isn’t designed for rapid change, and upgrades require significant capital, according to S&C.
Customer-usage patterns are changing as well. The grid was originally designed when customers were strictly power users. It’s not well structured to handle new ways customers participate in the electricity market, such as through use of electric vehicles, time-of-day pricing, and distributed generation.
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