Microgrid Technology Innovation Laboratory

Where can electrical utilities test microgrid concepts?

Electrical utilities have begun testing microgrid concepts in laboratory-type settings. One example is Duke Energy, which maintains two test microgrid facilities: one in Gaston County, North Carolina , and one in Charlotte, North Carolina .

What are advanced microgrids?

Advanced microgrids enable local power generation assets—including traditional generators, renewables, and storage—to keep the local grid running even when the larger grid experiences interruptions or, for remote areas, where there is no connection to the larger grid.

What is a microgrid & how can it help a community?

While the balance of driving factors and the details of the particular solution may differ from place to place, microgrids have emerged as a flexible architecture for deploying distributed energy resources (DERs) that can meet the wide ranging needs of different communities from metropolitan New York to rural India.

Will grid-tied microgrid customers stay connected if the grid fails?

Although grid-tied microgrid customers will likely stay connected to the grid for the foreseeable future, only islanding in the case of utility grid failure, self-consumption of microgrid generated energy could erode the revenue base that has traditionally paid for utility infrastructure investments.

Are microgrids a viable business model?

The ownership and business models of microgrids are still evolving. Microgrids are now emerging from lab benches and pilot demonstration sites into commercial markets, driven by technological improvements, falling costs, a proven track record, and growing recognition of their benefits.

Is market restructuring a threat to a microgrid?

Market restructuring, like that proposed in New York's “Reforming the Energy Vision (REV)” effort, will be required to move from a situation where microgrids are viewed as a threat to one in which distributed energy resource services are valued by the utility grid and fairly compensated .