These localized, small-scale power grids operate independently from the main electrical network and are increasingly being used to boost the amount of power in remote areas or act as a back-up for mission critical buildings like hospitals and data centers. They are able to integrate various sources of decentralized energy – most notably renewable energy.
“There is a trend all over the world for power to be decentralized from the main grid and the biggest driver of this is decarbonization,” says Dominic Szanto, Director – Energy and Infrastructure Advisory at JLL. “Increasingly, microgrids are being considered by real estate developers to not only cut energy bills, but also to boost their green credentials.”
Commercial appeal
In India, power and automation technology company ABB installed a solar power microgrid with battery energy storage at its Vadodora manufacturing campus in Gujarat. And in the U.S., Schneider Electric developed a microgrid at its Boston One Campus, which aims to provide greater power resiliency, reduce costs and use more sustainable energy via solar power.
With access to renewable energy more of a corporate focus, microgrids could become a key selling point for landlords trying to attract commercial tenants in the future.
“For a landlord trying to maximize the rental value of their property, a green building ties in well with today’s environmentally conscious world and companies’ corporate social responsibility initiatives,” explains Szanto. “We could one day see a situation whereby landlords lease electricity supply alongside the building, enabling tenants to get energy at a price that is fixed for five or even 15 years. It could add real value and certainty for tenants.”
For large companies with multiple offices in one continent, the stability and security offered by long term, fixed electricity prices could be a real aid to managing their business better. In the U.S., a California-based healthcare provider with several doctor surgeries commissioned the development of carports with solar panels in its carparks. This not only gives the company a consistent supply of green energy, but also offers price certainty.
Recent Comments