Standard Solar, in partnership with Solar Grid Storage, recently announced the installation of a grid-interactive energy storage system co-located with a new photovoltaic (PV) array, creating one of the nation’s first commercial scale microgrids.
Located at Konterra’s corporate headquarters in Laurel, MD, the islandable microgrid system is powered by a 402kW solar PV array. In the event of a grid power outage, the advanced lithium-ion energy storage system is designed to allow critical circuits at Konterra to remain energized. The project is financed by the Kingdon Gould Jr. family and supported through a Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) “Game Changer” Grant.
“Widespread implementation of grid-connected energy storage systems is key to solar PV becoming a mainstream energy supplier,” said Tony Clifford, CEO of Standard Solar. “As one of the nation’s first commercial microgrids, this project can truly be a game changer for PV. Not only does it provide backup power to Konterra, it also supports grid integrity and allows for participation in ancillary markets for electricity.”
According to Standard Solar, the system has the potential to reduce PV project costs and is designed to offer benefits to hosts including backup power, demand reduction and peak shaving. Moreover, the system is designed to enhance grid reliability by helping balance the grid through frequency regulation, volt-ampere reactive (VARs) compensation, and demand response services. The system is scheduled to be operational by the fall of 2013.
MEA’s Game Changer Competitive Grant Program was created to provide cost-sharing grants for innovative clean energy generation technologies and market strategies in Maryland. The winning grantees embrace either a new technology or a new methodology that extends beyond existing renewable energy generation. Winners were evaluated on the merits of their energy production, cost-effectiveness, market potential, project viability, cost share, project performance measurement and verification methodology, and project visibility. The projects are funded based on their ability to help the State meet its renewable energy portfolio standard of 20 percent by 2022, and the grant recipients’ progress towards that goal will be evaluated for two years following their award.
Source: Standard Solar
