Distributed Generation & Microgrids News

Alstom, and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU), collaborated to design, develop and deploy MicroGrid Power Mix Management (MPMM) solution in the context of the Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator - Singapore (REIDS) initiative. The REIDS initiative, a first in the region will encompass the construction of a microgrid to manage and integrate electricity generated from multiple sources including solar, wind, tidal, diesel, as well as energy storage and power-to-gas solutions.

Eaton will provide electrical engineering services and power distribution equipment for the construction of a 5-MW solar microgrid system in Annobon Province, an island off Equatorial Guinea in West Central Africa. The microgrid has battery storage and is designed to supply reliable and predictable power to meet the off-grid community's energy demand. It will be the largest self-sufficient solar microgrid project in Africa.

GE Global Research and GE Energy Consulting, along with National Grid, the Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Clarkson University announced a partnership on a research project to improve the reliability and resiliency of electricity delivery in northern New York.

Alstom was awarded the $1.2 million Microgrid Research Development and System Design (RD&D) project by the US Energy Department (DoE). Alstom is one of seven organizations to receive microgrid funding ($8 million total) from the DOE. The objective of this funding is to perform research, development and testing of advanced microgrid controllers capable of managing and controlling microgrid systems to improve viability, reliability and resiliency of the electric distribution grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory  selected a team led by Burr Energy LLC (dba Microgrid Institute) to design, simulate, and test microgrid control systems for two Maryland suburbs served by utility Pepco Holdings. DOE/NETL is expected to provide approximately $1.2 million in funding assistance for the Olney Town Center Microgrid Project during a two-year period beginning in late 2014.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce selected Microgrid Institute for a two-part project addressing combined heat and power (CHP) stakeholder engagement in the state. The project includes a pair of contracts to perform work that will assist the Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, in its efforts to develop a CHP Action Plan for the state. Microgrid Institute’s work under the contracts will include facilitating CHP stakeholder engagement meetings and performing a series of stakeholder surveys.

The government of Equatorial Guinea selected MAECI Solar, a division of Management and Economic Consulting, Inc., in collaboration with GE Power & Water and Princeton Power Systems, to install a 5-MW solar microgrid system on Annobon Province, an island off Equatorial Guinea in west central Africa. The solar microgrid will feature 5-MW solar modules and system integration by MAECI, an energy management system and controls from Princeton Power Systems and energy storage from GE.

Canadian Solar opened the new Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre to focus on microgrid solution testing, system solution design and smart grid assessment services. The Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Centre, partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, will be located in Guelph, Ontario and will work with its collaborators to provide shareable services for utilities, universities and colleges, communities, and companies that engage in the development of microgrid solutions.

NRG Energy and Virgin Limited Edition entered into a diesel reduction agreement for the provision of renewable power to Necker Island. Pursuant to this agreement, NRG will develop a renewables-driven microgrid for the entire island, supplying reliable electricity powered at least 75% by an integrated array of solar, wind and energy storage technologies.

Quanta Power Generation (Quanta) was selected by Anchorage Municipal Light & Power for the George M. Sullivan Plant 2 Generation Replacement Project in Anchorage, Alaska. Under the terms of the contract, signed in December 2013, Quanta will provide EPC services for all equipment and facilities for the 120-MW plant. The facility is designed in a 2x1 combined-cycle configuration and will utilize GE LM6000 combustion turbine technology. Construction of the plant is expected to be complete in September 2016.