Microgrid 2015: Economically Integrating Storage and Renewables for Resilience, Grid Stability, and Remote Power is HOMER Energy's 3rd annual microgrid event, following our successful events of Barcelona, Spain in 2014 and Cancun, Mexico in 2013. Microgrid 2015 is the place to be seen and heard by people who understand that microgrids are more than a nice theory - microgrids have been in place for decades in many parts of the world. Now their benefits are becoming recognized by the grid-connected world as well. This year the focus is on storage, which has seen a global surge in interest and capability, and on the Australia, Asia, and Pacific markets, but as always we anticipate a truly international crowd. Register now.
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HOMER Pro 3.3, our fourth major release, is now available for download. Version 3.3 continues improvements to grid-connected microgrids and distributed generation systems that we began in HOMER Pro 3.2. That release added a grid reliability module that allowed users to specify both random and scheduled grid outages. HOMER Pro 3.3 improves both demand charge modeling and the ability for battery systems to reduce peak demands. Demand limits can now be set monthly. Battery charging and discharging can be more directly controlled by time of day and month. We have also created more options for comparing systems with and without the grid. Usability improvements include better handling of multiple fuels, navigation in the time series plots, new shortcut buttons on the schematic that take you immediately to often-used screens like the Search Space, and better explanations for infeasible solutions.
Download the latest update now.
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 Developing the vast renewable energy resources of Fiji, the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu would provide substantial socio-economic benefits for their citizens, according to three reports released today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewables Readiness Assessments for the three island nations find that a combination of solar, wind, geothermal, marine, biomass and biofuel could meet domestic energy needs while decreasing electricity costs, increasing energy access, and boosting energy independence. Read more.
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 Princeton Power Systems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of technology products and embedded software for energy storage, microgrid operations, and electric vehicle charging, has announced that their Brooklyn Army Terminal project is a finalist for the 2015 Intersolar Project of the Year Award. Princeton Power’s Alcatraz Island Microgrid was named a 2014 Project of the Year at last year’s event, highlighting the company’s pioneering work on both coasts of the USA. Read more.
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| HOMER NEWS & EVENTS |
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 HOMER Energy has a rare opportunity available. We are looking to hire a HOMER-trained engineer who is fluent in both English and Spanish to assist in customer support, training, and consulting. This position requires a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering and some experience with HOMER. You should also be an excellent communicator in both languages, both written and spoken, and be outgoing, friendly, and good at solving problems. Our ideal candidate would be able to move to Boulder, Colorado, with all necessary permissions to work in the United States. We will consider candidates who could come train for 6-8 months and then work out of another location. HOMER Energy is a fun and exciting place to work, helping make the transition to clean, affordable energy possible. Interested candidates should send a resume and a letter explaining why you are a great fit for the position to jobs@homerenergy.com.
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 The HOMER model was very well represented at the tenth annual 2015 Asia Clean Energy Forum, hosted by the Asia Development Bank. ACEF is the premier clean energy event of the Asia Pacific region, with over 1200 participants from 60 countries. In addition to HOMER Energy CEO Peter Lilienthal’s presentation, several of the other presentations during the morning’s Deep Dive Workshop on “Hybrid Renewable Minigrids: Their potential for expanding energy access and reducing diesel dependency” presented results obtained from the HOMER Software. The afternoon’s workshop was entirely devoted to HOMER. In addition, Dr. Lilienthal conducted a HOMER training at the Valle Verde Country Club on the Saturday following ACEF.
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 Andy Kruse, co-founder of Southwest Windpower, the global leader in small wind turbine sales, has joined HOMER Energy as Vice President of Business Development. Andy’s passion for international sales has been recognized numerous times by various agencies and trade associations in the form of multiple awards and recognitions. We are thrilled to have someone with such long and deep connections in the industry leading our growing company in this critical area. You can reach Andy at andy@homerenergy.com.
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| WHAT WE'RE READING |
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 Star Island, one of the nine Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire near Maine, has everything one might expect from a remote island getaway: beautiful views of the Atlantic, boating, kayaking, 43 acres for hiking and family activities – even programs to pursue personal and spiritual growth. It also has something one might not expect: its own 130-kW solar array microgrid.
Read full article
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 It’s time to make the call – fossil fuels are finished. The rest is detail.
The detail is interesting and important, as I expand on below. But unless we recognise the central proposition: that the fossil fuel age is coming to an end, and within 15 to 30 years – not 50 to 100 – we risk making serious and damaging mistakes in climate and economic policy, in investment strategy and in geopolitics and defence.
Read full article
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 The value of a microgrid lies in its sophisticated ability to offer cost-effective solutions customized to a community’s energy needs. So while the technology is proven, it is not as simple to develop as say, installing back-up diesel generators or solar panels.
Therefore, it is important that municipal leaders engage energy experts early in the planning process, so that they can configure a microgrid that cost-effectively meets the community’s unique energy requirements.
Read full article
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| PARTNER NEWS & EVENTS |
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Revolutionize energy storage systems, renewable technologies, and structural design to enhance energy reliability and overall microgrid productivity. Following the success of the First Annual West and East Coast Microgrid Conferences, the 2015 West Coast edition continues to provide a platform for public and private sector professionals to demonstrate and discuss their successful microgrid projects and lessons learned. Click here for more information.
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HOMER Energy is supporting and participating in the 3rd annual Energy and Mines Toronto Summit which will bring together senior mining leaders with renewable energy experts to discuss solutions for addressing mining’s power challenges. Enter the code “homer20” on the registration page to receive a 20% discount.
Over 400+ mining operators and energy experts will attend the Summit, which is now well established as the meeting place for the mining and energy sectors to network and discuss power solutions for mining operators. This year’s event has a strong focus on microgrid applications for remote mining operations and energy storage applications for the global mining sector.
This global Summit is now well-established as the meeting place for the mining and renewable energy sectors to networking and understand the potential for collaboration on reliable, sustainable and affordable power for mines.
Visit www.energyandmines.com/toronto for more information or contact Adrienne Baker.
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