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Learn about microgrid and distributed energy design and technology, finance and policy initiatives all over the world. Microgrid technology is exploding in popularity as our energy systems make the transformation to clean distributed power. Read about successful hybrid renewable energy and microgrid projects, how they were built, how they operate and who benefits.

HOMER Energy Among Finalists for Prestigious Ashden Award

HOMER Energy is proud to be listed among 19 “long list” finalists for an “Ashden Award,” a UK prize rewarding organizations that contribute to the global sustainable energy transformation by introducing new technologies and business models. If awarded the prize, HOMER Energy would use it to expand training in developing countries.

HOMER Energy Releases New Software to Manage the Complexity of Designing Behind-the-Meter Systems and Reduce Demand Charges

HOMER Energy today announced its newest software product, HOMER Grid, a robust and powerful tool for optimizing the value of behind-the-meter, distributed generation systems while reducing demand charges. This important new product from HOMER Energy is a response to the rapidly growing solar-plus-storage market, and the rise in demand charges across the U.S. and other countries.

2018 Trends that Will Impact Microgrid Development: Part Two

Last week we reported on important trends that are likely to affect the development of hybrid renewable energy systems in 2018, particularly work that is being done on the modeling, design and implementation of microgrids…This week we bring you the second installment of interesting trends to look for:

From Maria to Microgrids: Why Puerto Rico’s Energy Future Should Be Built on Distributed Energy

Concrete power line poles lie on a highway after Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria.

Puerto Rico has a very long and politicized electrical grid history, and politics will play a big role in how the island territory will recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, a category 4 storm that hit the island on September 20, 2017. Puerto Rico, barely recovering from Hurricane Irma, was devastated by Maria, a storm so large and so direct that its eye alone literally covered the entire island. The storm destroyed more than three-fourths of the island’s power infrastructure, leaving Puerto Rico’s 3.5 million residents without power. Current estimates are that most of the country won’t be back on-grid for months.

HOMER Energy Prepares to Host 5th International Microgrid Conference in Denver, Colorado

The HOMER International Microgrid Conference is the only event of its kind focused on bringing together global leaders and influencers in the microgrid community. Both an educational and networking event, the conference allows attendees to connect with others in their industry to discuss projects and collaborative opportunities. 2017 presentation topics include The Current Microgrid Market State, Microgrid Finance, and Grid Connected Case Studies. The third day offers an optional training in the HOMER software, and the fourth day includes optional tours of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, a tour of the nation’s largest public-private outdoor solar testing and demonstration facility at SolarTAC, and a look inside a leading edge effort to bring clean energy to existing commercial buildings with a visit to the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado’s LEED Platinum building, the Alliance Center.

Microgrid News Weekly: Marijuana Microgrids, Coal vs. Wind — February 23, 2017

marijuana microgridEnergy accounts for 20-25% of indoor cannabis cultivation costs. Photo via CPB

Colorado-based Scale Energy Solutions has unveiled solutions to fill a gap that utility companies and major corporations can’t fix. The company develops hybrid microgrids, combining solar, storage and combined heat and power (CHP), to lower the gluttonous energy consumption of indoor cannabis cultivation, microgrids it predicts will cut 20-25% from the cost of production.

Microgrid News Weekly: Focus on Africa — February 17, 2017

focus-africa

BBC lists SteamaCo’s electricity grids as top African product to watch in 2017…Bangladesh Emerges as a Hotbed for Solar Microgrids…New Jersey Moves Forward with First Ever Rail Microgrid Project & more microgrid news highlights January 5, 2017

IKEA Speeds Energy Independence Plan, Democrats Include Microgrids in $1 Trillion Plan, and More News — February 1, 2017

IKEA wind farm 100 percent renewables

BBC lists SteamaCo’s electricity grids as top African product to watch in 2017…Bangladesh Emerges as a Hotbed for Solar Microgrids…New Jersey Moves Forward with First Ever Rail Microgrid Project & more microgrid news highlights January 5, 2017

Emerging Markets, Military Microgrids & Abu Dhabi Solar, More Microgrid News — January 18, 2017

microgrid news --- january 18Solar installation in Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: Gulf News Archive

21 MW of Solar PV for Emerging Market Community Microgrids Announced Since April…Off-grid Solar PV Powers Abu Dhabi Desalination Plant…Military Microgrids Could Save the US…more microgrid news & insight 1/18/17

Rebuilding Haitian Microgrid in Hurricane Matthew’s Aftermath

Haitian MicrogridEarthSpark's Haitian microgrid lost about 40% of solar panels but the power electronics and battery bank were left unscathed.

Following is an overview of repair efforts to date for EarthSpark’s Haitian Microgrid. The overview was presented by Rachel McManus, executive director of EarthSpark, at the recent HOMER International […]

Microgrid Progress, Predictions for the New Year & more Microgrid News Highlights — December 16, 2016

microgrid progress predictions

Microgrid News Highlights — December 16,  2016 With Big Gains in Q3, Energy Storage Market Set to Finish Strong in 2016 Corporate investment in energy storage nearly hit […]

HOMER International Microgrid Conference November 7-8, New York, NY

Microgrid Conference Will Explore Synergies Between Diverse Microgrid Applications from Remote Off-Grid to Urban, Industrialized Country Environments   HOMER Energy will host its fourth annual Microgrid Conference at […]

Microgrid News Highlights, October 5, 2016

Microgrid News Highlights October 5, 2016   South Australia Blackout May Lead to More Microgrids Like other major blackouts, such as the week-long shutdown in NSW last year, […]

Microgrid News Highlights, September 27, 2016

From University of Dayton Research Institute: Researcher installes power/energy metering system at Air Force Forward Operating Base of the Future.

Industry study: Microgrids to Become ‘Fundamental Building Block’ National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) report concludes that “from 2025 onwards, fully controllable, independent microgrids interconnected with [direct current] links […]

Fractal Microgrids, Storage Forecast & More Microgrid News Roundup September 15, 2016

microgrid news roundup september

Microgrid News Roundup September 15, 2016 Camp Pendleton’s Fractal Microgrid Camp Pendleton’s fractal microgrid provides energy security and energy savings capabilities to critical facilities using renewable energy. A fractal […]