Many have multiple buildings that require constant power. Some of the buildings can have areas that require an isolated power source because of voltage, amperage and/or frequency requirements. Hospitals, state correctional facilities, and data centers are some of the industries that require an Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS). Voltages are adjusted to requirements and distributed to customers. Substations receive voltage from the power plants by high-voltage lines. Some use step-up transformers to increase voltage for transfer to substations. Power plants generate high voltage electricity. Microgrids located in remote locations can use hydroelectric generation as primary power or employ fossil fuel generating plant as primary power. The most common of microgrids use utility power supplied from the local power company as the primary supply. The construction of this microgrid is fictional but modeled in concept from DOE projects. Basic information for each of the power sources and the controls systems is outlined below. Advancements in the power generation and distribution technologies allow for systems that reduce power consumption, use green generation methods, and meet critical power supply requirements. Many factors go into the design and construction of a microgrid. Wind & solar farm return to normal operation. When utility power is returned, the load is returned to the utility supply and backup generators are shut down. The buildings on the load side of the circuit do not see any power fluctuation because of the design of the distribution grid. The generators start and assume the load from the batteries. When utility power is lost, the complex is switched to battery power from the wind and solar installation. Both are normally connected to the grid to lower facility operating costs. The wind and solar farm power a battery bank for emergency use when utility power is lost. The illustration in the first graphic is a microgrid that uses utility power as the primary source. Island generation is power supplied by wind, solar, hydro generation, or diesel/NG generation. Other organizations define microgrids similarly, including the concept of multiple loads and island generation. Ensures energy is supplied to complexes with critical power needs.Integration of distributed and renewable energies, reducing peak load.Integrates with grid & multiple smart grid technologies. The benefits of using microgrid technology can be: In addition, the DOE maintains "Microgrids have been identified as a key component of the Smart Grid for improving for improving power reliability and quality, increasing system energy efficiency, and providing the possibility of grid-independence to individual end-user sites". A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid and island modes". Department of Energy (DOE) defines a microgrid as "A group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. Microgrid Fundamentals - What is a Microgrid? In this article, we look at the fundamentals of what a microgrid is, how generators play a role in most microgrids, and we also include a short and very helpful video from Schneider Electric that explains these concepts further. They can be set up to operate in parallel with a utility grid and also to run in stand-alone mode during emergencies or based on specific needs. They work with and manage all of this with different types of software and control systems. These microgrids typically mange the energy loads of multiple generation systems and also use some type of energy storage system. Bloom Energy recently reported 500 new microgrids are in process or becoming deployed as of this year (2019) and worldwide totals are in the multiple GW range.Īt the core, a microgrid is a miniature power grid system that is set up to manage distributed energy resources and can include renewables (solar, wind, and/or hydro) with other non-renewable sources (such as diesel generators, gas turbines, etc.). Only recently have they gained significant traction and press as many new projects become a reality and are being put into production. The concept of microgrids has been around for many years.
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