Together with the Utility, no matter what.
Implementing a midsize microgrid (over 50 KVA) without the support of the local utility is a bad idea, unless you are in a completely remote area. Utilities possess in-depth knowledge about demand habits, the impact of complex loads, and key aspects of power distribution. Additionally, connecting to the grid could involve technical and contractual complexities.
On the flip side, utilities should not ignore projects running in their area. For start, there should be solid reason for a developer to consider such investment. Independent microgrid plans are often attractive because of new technologies, cleaner energy, increased reliability, and concerns over unmet demand.
Microgrids can be beneficial for utilities and users to meet growing demand and challenging loads, either due to technical feasibility or sustainability pressures. They also offer an easier decision for handling specific needs, allowing to reconsider or review critical acquisitions or replacement of critical assets. Share information between Utility and developers is the ideal way to initiate a distributed energy project.
Microgrids have limited size and it is good
By definition, a microgrid is a limited block of loads with specific needs, supported by various energy resources operating as a unit. This controlled area, managed by advanced technology, enables seamless integration, better operations, and improved information flow.
Ultimately, microgrids offer a positive experience for the utility, developer, end-users, and regulatory bodies. They check all the boxes: sustainability, resilience, reliability, affordability, and security. These factors, coupled with smart incentives, drive sustained growth in microgrid adoption.
Develop a Microgrid demands expertise.
These arguments, coupled with intelligent incentives, are driving the sustained growth of the Microgrid concept worldwide. However, make no mistake: leveraging a Microgrid can be a significant challenge at times. The involvement of numerous stakeholders adds a layer of complexity to decision-making processes.
Besides, the state of the art is evolving. The grid, as we have known it for more than a century, built on heavy rotative equipment with an specific behavior under normal or during contingencies, now needs to incorporate Power Electronics, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Often it is a subject for Energy experts and sometimes they found out that it is necessary to reconsider existing paradigms. And sometimes Microgrids are powerful enough to not only control Distributed Energy Resources (DER) but also manage loads while sharing detailed and valuable operational data.
While energy storage remains a critical issue, these extended capabilities -integrating for example water-efficient solutions and thermal load control- presents a new frontier. Essentially, a Microgrid operates more like an Energy utility, encompassing more than just electricity.
My personal view about Microgrids
There is a growing market for renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions.
It is not my case but for some developers, utility scale is their main focus. Large blocks of energy will be addressed by major investments, leveraging very specialized expertise. Following a complex decision-making process, significant portions of the net-zero goal will be achieved successfully. Big results but It takes a lot of time and efforts. Ideal for long term players.
Things can go faster at an individual level, driven by incentives or environmental consciousness, various local projects in homes, commerce, and industries will be accomplished. But sometimes, there are customers as complicated as a whole utility scale project.
It is the midsize solutions such as Microgrids, Virtual Power Plants, and other options what draws my attention. As experienced engineer in Distributed Power Generation, I understand the impact you can make when you are closer to the load and sometimes specific necessities, not to mention the possibility of interact and even with other associated services like water heat.
Integrate technical solutions with creative business models and now covering the necessary angle of sustainability, is a fascinating job where experience counts.
From a personal angle, I want to mention that for years, I have been involved in distributed generation projects of various sizes and complexities. Some were in the Caribbean, where we developed diesel powerhouses before hurricane seasons. Today, these would be categorized as Increased Resiliency Projects. I reimagine these projects with today's best practices and powerful tools like ArcGIS, REVIT, and advanced control systems. Additionally modern technologies from hydrogen to small modular reactors and small hydropower are being considered.
Together with the champions and stakeholders
All of these advancements make me optimistic, but also the people get the people involved is a necessity if we want a sustainable future. Climate change is here. It won’t go away, and we must integrate solutions within a complex ecosystem where we balance:
- Technology: Top tools and equipment selection must be seamlessly integrated and perform for decades.
- Policy: Not just incentives, but also utilities and regulated structures at all levels, from local to regional.
- Funding: Financing projects is an art, balancing goals with available resources.
- People: Ultimately, it’s about public services, aligning stakeholders, including multidisciplinary project teams, operators, and end-users not directly involved.
The midsize segment of energy, typically microgrids, is a marketplace requiring multiple roles: engineers, suppliers, economists, planners, contractors, funding entities, regulation specialists, communities, and more. Aside to them, every project needs an Sponsor, someone that champions the idea, and that is just a beginning. Align a Project Champion plus a motivated and engaged group of stakeholders is the job of a successful developer.
Getting all the players properly aligned is complex, but it's worth it.
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