Microgrid Cost

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 is a microgrid cost model?

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy to complete a microgrid cost study and develop a microgrid cost model. The goal of this study is to elucidate the variables that have the highest impact on costs as well as potential areas for cost reduction. This study consists of two phases.

What is the DOE's microgrid cost study?

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) microgrid cost study is identifying the costs of components, integration, and installation of U.S. microgrids; project cost improvements; and technical accelerators during the next 5 years and beyond.

How much does energy storage cost a microgrid?

In commercial and industrial microgrids, energy storage represents 15% and 25% of the total costs per megawatt, respectively. In commercial microgrids, soft costs account for 43%, while in community microgrids they account for 24%.

Why are microgrids so expensive?

Historically, microgrids have been more expensive than traditional power grids due to their use of utility-scale technology that is downsized, according to Bruce Nordman, a research scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

How much does a microgrid controller cost?

Controller costs per megawatt range from $3,500/MW to nearly $600,000/MW (excluding outliers), with a mean of $85,000/MW. The analysis shows that controller costs as a percentage of total microgrid costs are relatively similar among the projects in our database and the NY Prize data despite the wide variety of system sizes, types, and uses.