Microgrids and Battery Storage
In search of enlightened policy to build a solid business case.
A smart grid expert searches for a solid business case – and tells how to create enlightened policy to make it happen.
Microgrid
Microgrids: Where's the Beef?
Integration beats islanding, anyway you slice it.
A microgrid is a throwback. It’s anathema to what we know about economies of scale. Integration is what maximizes the ability of least-cost resources to reach load. By interfering with least-cost dispatch, microgrids can only raise energy costs.
From Grid to Cloud
A network of networks – in search of an orchestrator.
The Energy Cloud will change the way we generate, store, and consume energy by changing from a one-way power flow to a dynamic network of networks supporting two-way energy and information flows.
Getting Smart about the Integrated Grid
In New York it’s where we’re staking our energy future.
Disruptive technologies such as microgrids and battery storage devices are commendable but they are supporting actors and must still work with the centralized grid.
The Economics of Clean Power
And how the market has outmaneuvered the political forces, so far.
While former CEO Charles Bayless says that economics remains the driving factor behind the shifting sands, there are plenty who would put the blame on the Obama administration and its “War on Coal.”
ABB to Install Microgrid Solution in South Africa
Submitted by aburr on Fri, 2015-09-04 13:38ABB will install an integrated solar-diesel microgrid at its Longmeadow premises in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 96,000 square meter facility houses the company's country headquarters as well as medium voltage switchgear manufacturing and protection panel assembly facilities, with around 1,000 employees. The solution includes a rooftop solar PV field and a PowerStore grid stabilizer, that will help to maximize the use of clean solar energy.
Understanding New York's 'Vision'
A roadmap to ‘REV’ and its plan for restructuring.
New York's far-reaching reform plan, called the Renewable Energy Vision, or “REV,” seeks to decentralize power supply by encouraging distributed resources, and a new regulatory entity will be created called a “Distributed System Platform,” or DSP.
Becoming Customer-Centric
Two utilities embrace technology and innovation.
Today the rise of customer-centric technology and innovation has created a whole new set of challenges. Advances have occurred in energy efficiency, demand response, distributed solar, energy storage, and electric vehicles, as well as smart grid infrastructure and analytics. Electric utilities have two basic choices: react to the agendas of the special interests or chart a path forward to create the most value for stakeholders and customers.
Climate, Carbon, Fuel, and the Future
The view from Oregon and Portland General Electric.
Fortnightly speaks with Jim Piro, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. Piro serves as a member of Oregon’s Global Warming Commission. He’s also active in the Electrification Coalition, a national group of business leaders advocating for policies that support electric vehicles.
How Reliable Is Your Microgrid?
An insurer’s perspective on risk drivers for distributed resources.
From an insurance perspective, what happens if an entire microgrid should fail to perform?