How DG and microgrids change the game for utilities.
Energy microgrids have emerged as more than just a curiosity. The technology is improving, costs are falling, and developers are lining up to build projects. How will microgrids overcome the substantial challenges that stand in their way?
Only behavioral change will reduce energy consumption.
Standards and technology don't reduce energy consumption, despite the claims of efficiency zealots. Real energy savings only come through behavioral change.
Amerifreight in City of Industry, awarded a new 129.5KW solar system installation contract to Sunvalley Solar. The system will use 518 polycrystalline solar panels, 250 Watts each. Installation is expected to begin by the middle of 2013.
ReneSola Ltd agreed to provide Enerparc AG with 43.6 MW of solar modules, 35 MW of which will be delivered through original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in Poland and India. Under the terms of the agreement, ReneSola and its contracted OEMs will deliver 43.6 MW of solar modules to Enerparc between April and June of this year.
SunEdison signed an agreement with Petrobras to build one of the largest photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Brazil. The plant will be located in Alto do Rodrigues, Rio Grande do Norte. Once completed, SunEdison will manage the plant from its central operations center. The energy generated will be fed into Brazil’s National Interconnected System. The plant will have an installed capacity of 1.1 MW DC and will be built on land adjacent to the Thermoeletric Plant Jesus Soares Pereira that belongs to Termoacu S.A.
Engineers and constructors adapt to serve an industry in transition.
From gas pipelines to PV arrays, the nation’s contractors are seeing growth in utility infrastructure. Fortnightly talks with executives at engineering and construction firms to learn what kinds of projects are moving forward, where they’re located, and what lies over the horizon.
The rationale for microgrids.
Despite an array of challenges, microgrids are becoming a force in the market. Innovative projects bring greater efficiency and resilience.
Abengoa and BrightSource Energy signed an agreement to jointly develop, build, and operate what the companies say will be the world’s two largest solar power towers at a site in California. The companies expect jointly to permit and finance the 500-MW Palen Solar Electric Generating System. Abengoa will build the plants as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, and will lead the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plants once online. BrightSource will provide the solar field technology and plant design.
SOLON completed construction of 1.15 MW of solar systems for the Tanque Verde Unified School District (TVUSD) in Arizona. Spread over four campuses – Tanque Verde Elementary School, Aqua Caliente Elementary School, Emily Gray Junior High School, and Tanque Verde High School – the solar systems are a combination of shade structures and rooftop systems. With over 4,000 solar modules, the systems will offset a daytime electricity requirements of each campus. MP2 Capital will sell all of the power generated from the systems to the school district under a 25-year agreement.
Cupertino Electric is installing a new 230-kV transmission line to interconnect a new substation serving a 200-MW photovoltaic power plant in Imperial Valley, Calif. When complete in late 2013, the overhead line will span five miles and interconnect a new 230-kV substation on the 2,000-acre solar project site in California’s Imperial Valley.