The trade industry group Think Microgrid has issued a new report ranking states for their support of microgrid technology. The group says that legacy state energy policies must be reformed in order for the microgrid industry to move ahead.
Microgrid Industry News
Think Microgrid Policy Summit: Overcoming Barriers to Microgrid Adoption
In its 2023 Microgrid Policy Summit, the industry coalition Think Microgrid assembled experts from the industry to explore policy hurdles that are slowing microgrid development. Learn more about the issues they reported.
Alaska Researchers Explore Turning Excess Renewable Energy Production into Heat
University of Alaska researchers are developing methods to help evaluate beneficial matches between excess renewable energy production and heat loads in rural Alaskan communities.
U.S. Inflation Reduction Act: Impacts on Renewable Energy
In a recent impact analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), UL Solutions cited renewables industry trade group American Clean Power’s statistic that, with the passing of the IRA, roughly 40% of the country’s electricity will come from wind, solar and energy storage by 2030. Overall, the demand for energy storage installations and hybrid systems stands to explode.
UL Enterprise Launches New Brands
Three distinct organizations mark significant moment to continue 128-year history of safety science leadership Northbrook, Illinois — June 27, 2022 — Today, the UL enterprise revealed new brands for […]
Electric grid managers eye potential electricity shortages this summer
This summer, agencies that manage U.S. electric grids are preparing for potential power shortfalls because of high temperatures and drought, particularly in the Midwest and Western states. The good news is that more microgrids are coming online. Microgrids can provide additional power capacity and help keep electricity flowing to critical customers during power outages.
Think Microgrid Policy Summit to Tackle Barriers to Microgrid Adoption
Join us for the Think Microgrid Policy Summit Tuesday, May 31, co-located with the Microgrid 2022 Conference in Philadelphia. Featuring industry and regulatory experts, the summit will tackle barriers to microgrid development in the U.S.
Microgrid Knowledge Announces Finalists for 2022 Microgrid Greater Good Awards
A key feature of the Microgrid 2022 conference coming up on June 1-2 in Philadelphia is the Microgrid Greater Good awards. Drawn from applicants from around the world, these awards focus on projects that fulfill social and humanitarian needs. Eight finalists are competing for the top prizes, which will be presented by Dr. Peter Lilienthal of HOMER Energy / UL.
2022 Community Power Scorecard Ranks the U.S. States for Support of Clean, Distributed Energy
The Community Power Scorecard, by the Institute for Local Self Reliance, ranks state policies that support local energy projects, consumer choice and distributed renewable energy. Read on to see who the winners – and losers – were for the 2022 Scorecard.
Odyssey Streamlines Microgrid Financing in Africa Using UL’s HOMER® Application Programming Interface (API)
Solar microgrid developers in Nigeria are getting needed help to move their project proposals forward. The assistance begins with an opportunity to apply for project financing through the […]
Top 2021 Stories Highlight Increasing Momentum Toward Clean Energy
Enabled by decreasing storage costs, microgrids and hybrid power systems accelerated along a path of rapid growth and innovation in 2021. See some of our top stories for the year.
New Research Shows Microgrids Can Create Jobs and Contribute to Economic Growth
Three new reports – one by the new industry trade association Think Microgrid – show how microgrids can create jobs and bolster economic growth:
Industry Leaders Launch Group to Create a Coordinated Industry Voice for Microgrids in the U.S.
HOMER Energy by UL joined more than a dozen companies as a founding member of Think Microgrid, a new coalition formed to advance state and federal policy in the U.S. and lead the way to improve electric reliability with microgrids.
PG&E Community Microgrid Enablement Program Helps Communities Keep the Lights on During Emergencies
California gas and electric utility provider Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is taking a proactive step forward in the move to grid resiliency. In April, as a California Congressman introduced the House MICROGRID act, the utility announced the PG&E Community Microgrid Enablement Program (CMEP), its project for permanent, multi-customer microgrids. These microgrids will focus on “disadvantaged” areas and critical facilities.
U.S. Bill to Create a Cleaner Energy Future with Microgrids
Decarbonization has emerged as a national priority in 2021. Newly proposed legislative measures suggest that for the microgrid industry, that could mean more supportive policies and increased project funding.
Results-Based Financing Models Provide Path Forward for Mini-Grids in Africa
Mini-grids could provide energy access to the approximately 580 million people without power in Africa while fulfilling decarbonization and climate goals. However, financing these projects often proves challenging. In order to secure funding, project developers are increasingly looking to results-based models.
Texas Energy Crisis Strengthens Case for Microgrids
Catastrophic events such as the one in Texas last week demonstrate the value of energy networks that include many small, distributed power systems to provide power when the larger network is unable to.
Converting Diesel Mini-grids to Solar Makes Kenya More Sustainable
As Kenya’s population and economy grow, energy providers are leveraging renewable resources and converting existing diesel-powered mini-grids to hybrid systems. Kenya’s electric utility, Kenya Power and Lighting Company recently issued a proposal to add solar and wind power generation to 23 diesel mini-grids in operation across the country.
Unearthing Value – Microgrids Help Mines Come Clean
Renewables-based microgrids are becoming increasingly valuable for mining businesses worldwide as they offer an economically viable pathway toward decarbonization.
California’s New Rules Support Resiliency
California’s pioneering development of new microgrid tariffs will not only create a revenue stream for microgrids and advance related technologies, it is likely to serve as a model for other states.
A Microgrid Pilot Program in Wisconsin Aims to Boost Resilience
With resiliency in mind, a Wisconsin utility has proposed a novel microgrid pilot program that will pave the way for 22 microgrid projects and ultimately offer energy consumers access to cleaner, more reliable power.
Retail Power: Solar-Powered Shopping Centers Provide Cost Savings and Clean Energy
A rising number of shopping mall owners in Australia are turning the rooftops of commercial spaces into power plants with on-site solar arrays and energy storage. These hybrid systems allow owners to provide tenants with cheaper, cleaner power.
A Positive Charge for Energy Storage
Today energy storage technology is recognized as an integral part of the transition to clean energy. In this article, we explore battery technology and safety advancements, as well as the market’s rapid growth and its impact on microgrids and hybrid power systems.
EarthSpark International Receives OPEC Fund’s Annual Award for Development
EarthSpark International has been named the recipient of the 2020 OPEC Fund Annual Award for Development. The award recognizes EarthSpark’s innovative solutions addressing energy access and climate-related issues in Haiti.
Feasibility Studies Instrumental in Success of 5 Municipal Microgrid Projects in California
The value of proving economic and technical viability was demonstrated by the City of Camarillo recently, when, based on a positive feasibility study, council members voted unanimously to move forward with the design of hybrid solar microgrids at five of its facilities.
Microgrid Funding Opportunities Arise as Maryland Emerges as Key State for Development of Hybrid Power
Funding opportunities from the Maryland Energy Administration’s Resilient Maryland grant program have jumpstarted projects throughout the state. As a result, Maryland has emerged as a key state for microgrid project development. The 2021 grant deadline is approaching.
HOMER International Microgrid Conference Identifies Technological Advances, Policy Shifts, and the Industry’s Path Forward
The 8th Annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference attracted record-breaking participation and international representation, as well as an extraordinary selection of presentations by industry leaders. Session recordings are now available.
Groundbreaking FERC Order 2222 Opens Energy Markets to DERs
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved a landmark ruling that enables distributed energy resource aggregators to compete in regional wholesale energy markets. The ruling is expected to create new revenue opportunities for owners of solar, batteries, EVs, and other DERs.
Foundational Support: Vallecito Energy Storage Resilience Project Lays the Groundwork for a Larger Renewables-Based System
An exciting energy storage installation in the Goleta Load Pocket, a highly vulnerable 70-mile transmission area in Southern California, will provide resilience in the form of 40 MWh of utility-scale energy storage. The Vallecito Energy Storage Resilience project will not only provide an energy storage foundation for a future community microgrid, but it lays the groundwork for a more resilient energy network in a region hard-hit by natural disasters.
Mind the (Charging) Gap: Electric truck fleets are set to expand exponentially. But not without robust charging infrastructure.
Analysts forecast a dramatic rise in the number of e-trucks on the road by 2025, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support air quality goals. But addressing the question of how to meet the high energy demand and infrastructure needs of e-trucking fleets is critical. On-site, renewable generation offers a solution.