Microgrid
A microgrid, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy Microgrid Exchange Group, is 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. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode.
As the cost of renewable energy generation technologies decline, combined with the mainstream availability of cost-effective battery energy storage systems, microgrids are becoming cost competitive for certain utility and non-utility applications. Microgrids can offer lower cost of operation when benefits such as transmission/distribution or system upgrade deferment, outage reduction, enhanced energy efficiency, easier integration and control and other ancillary services and benefits are realized for a single site.
Microgrids also offer benefits such as black-start capabilities, increased grid resiliency and often impact the environment in a greatly reduced manner due to their ability to significantly enhance the performance of both conventional and renewable generation assets. Pine Creek Power Systems™ is continually refining its IntelligentRE™ software and control system, which interfaces with the SCADA system at the power generating site to acquire microgrid telemetry, including local weather data. The IntelligentRE™ uses this data, that is stored in a local and cloud-based historian repository, to make resource usage decisions that result in lower overall operating costs for the microgrid, which are simply presented and conveyed via the dashboard interface.