Microgrids. (Also, Minigrids and Nanogrids). A microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that serves a specific geographic footprint, such as a college campus, hospital complex, business center, neighborhood, or downtown area. The terms minigrid and nanogrid are also in use, but no one has as of yet issued a precise and widely accepted definition of where one picks up and the other leaves off. Within a microgrid (or minigrid or nanogrid) are one or more kinds of distributed energy – solar panels, wind turbines, combined heat & power units, hydrogen-fuel generators – that produce its power. Many newer microgrids contain batteries or some other form of energy storage, and perhaps EV charging stations as well. A microgrid may be set up to operate only in “island” mode (not connected to the larger municipal or regional grid), or connected to it as a backup power source. The following readings should be helpful: “The Power of Microgrids in the Global Energy Transition”. www.rmi.org/power-microgrids-global-energy-transition/ “What the Rise of Local Energy Means For Businesses, Institutions and Communities”. www.microgridknowledge.com/distributed-energy-microgrids/ In Australia: “Peel Business Park – Nambeelup Kaadadjan – The Microgrid”. www.developmentwa.com The Peel Business Park has a 1.2MW solar array and a 2.5MWh battery storage system. “Getting Onto the New Grid in Greater Boston”. www.nextcity.org 12/7/18. “Community Microgrid Alternatives to Gas Peaker Plants”. www.cleancoalition.org “Community Microgrid a First For Wisconsin”. www.tdworld.com 11/15/22. A company called Scale Microgrids provides some examples of how microgrids can play a role in a local government’s power system, providing a higher level of energy independence, a lower carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and 100% financing of the microgrid itself. Scale has worked with city governments, public school agencies, water districts, tribal lands, and other public entities. www.scalemicrogrids.com
