Microgrid project investment negotiation

Can microgrids improve energy resilience?

Since microgrids are not the only way to enhance energy resilience, communities may want to consider alternate resilience investment options, including hardening existing transmission and distribution systems, weatherizing power generation sources, and building additional distribution systems to provide energy supply redundancy.

Are microgrids a good investment?

Microgrids that incorporate renewable energy resources can have environmental benefits in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. In some cases, microgrids can sell power back to the grid during normal operations. Depending on the complexity, microgrids can have high upfront capital costs.

How much does a microgrid cost?

Microgrids are complex systems that require specialized skills to operate and maintain. Microgrids include controls and communication systems that contain cybersecurity risks. A 2018 study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that microgrids in the Continental U.S. cost an average of $2 million-$5 million per megawatt.

What is a microgrid and how does it work?

A microgrid 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.2 A microgrid can operate in either grid-connected or in island mode, including entirely of-grid applications. Figure 1 shows one example of a microgrid.

What happens if a microgrid is grid-connected?

If the microgrid is grid-connected (i.e., connected to the main electric grid), then the community can draw power from the main electric grid to supplement its own generation as needed or sell power back to the main electric grid when it is generating excess power.

What are the benefits of microgrids?

The Electricity Journal, 25(8), 84-94. Figure 1: Features of an example microgrid. The primary resilience benefit of microgrids is their ability to disconnect from the main grid when there is an outage and operate autonomously. Thus, facilities connected to and powered by the microgrid can continue serving a community during an outage.