The cost of renewable mini-grids and microgrids will continue to decline by 60% in the next two decades as new technologies improve their capability to cost-effectively integrate more […]
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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, […]
International Consortium to Provide Microgrid Solutions for US, Canada
Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Opus One announce $12.4 M North American multi-utility microgrid project Opus One Solutions (Opus One), Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS), and a consortium of partners announced […]
Microgrid News Highlights, September 27, 2016
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 […]
IRENA Report: African Solar Costs & Markets
A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Solar PV in Africa: Costs & Markets,” finds that solar PV is quickly changing the reality on the […]
Most Americans Prefer Resilient Grid over Lower Electricity Costs
As Americans count down to Election Day, more than three-quarters (78%) believe the winner of the presidential race should prioritize the faster adoption of renewable energy, according to […]
Hierarchic Control, Success in Kenya & More Microgrid News September 20, 2016
Microgrid News Roundup September 20, 2016 The next generation: How microgrids are changing the business landscape The major markets for the growing microgrid sector aren’t just those enterprises […]
Fractal Microgrids, Storage Forecast & More Microgrid News Roundup September 15, 2016
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 […]
Government, Industry & Nonprofits Bolster Rwanda’s Renewable Energy Goals
The government of Rwanda, with various government, industry, and funding partners, has an ambitious plan: Reduce the country’s extreme energy poverty (75% of citizens lack access to reliable power) down to 30% in two years, a plan that includes 22% in off-grid renewable energy.
Multi-stakeholder Microgrid Ownership Model Provides ‘Win-win-win’ Solution
Public-private partnerships, multi-stakeholder microgrid ownership, public-purpose financing, cooperative ownership, microgrid-as-a-service (MaaS)… It’s fitting that there are multiple monikers for a multi-benefit microgrid financing tool in which ownership is […]
CSSI Offers Remote Communities in Canada Microgrid Solutions — A HOMER Pro Case Study
In 2012, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), a Tribal Council representing six First Nation communities in Northern Ontario, approached Canadian Solar Solution Inc. (CSSI) for a solution to reduce the community’s’ dependence on diesel fuel and to increase affordable energy supply. Two case studies detail these projects.
Utility Microgrids, Milwaukee Project, ViZn in Africa & More Microgrid News Roundup — September 7, 2016
Microgrid News Roundup September 7, 2016 Why Smart Utilities Are Embracing Distributed Electricity The momentum for renewable energy builds as prices fall and emissions regulations tighten. In order to […]
New Paltz—NY Prize Awards 83 Communities Considering Microgrids
The sleepy college town of New Paltz, New York, may be headed for big energy changes. The New York Prize Community Grid competition awarded New Paltz, along with […]
Market Growth Forecast, AC/DC Nanogrid & More Microgrid News 8/29/16 Roundup
Weekly Microgrid News Roundup, August 29, 2016 A New Chapter in the Tesla vs. Edison Battle In the basement of the gym at Illinois Institue of Technology is […]
$200B Forecast, India’s Access Crisis & More Microgrid News 8/23/16 Roundup
Weekly Microgrid News Roundup, August 23, 2016 This week’s Microgrid News Roundup includes: International initiative plans to significantly reduce electricity costs in rural India’s microgrids within the next […]
French Microgrids, Utility Industry Chasms, Smart Indian Villages: Microgrid News Roundup
Weekly Microgrid News, August 5, 2016 This week’s Microgrid News Roundup includes: Minnesota university awarded grant to build microgrid designed for research and technology development… In France, an experimental microgrid […]
HPNET: Advancing Micro-hydro Power (Part 2) — A Look Ahead
Part 2 of an in-depth interview (access Part 1 here) with Dipti Vaghela (left) co-founder of Hydro Empowerment Network (HPNET). The organization, founded in 2012, brings practitioners a knowledge platform to advance micro-hydro power.
HPNET: Advancing Micro-hydro Power (Part 1) — Local Community is Key
The Hydro Empowerment Network (HPNET), co-founded by Dipti Vaghela (left) in 2012, brings practitioners a knowledge exchange platform to advance micro-hydro power. HPNET focuses primarily on “policy, technology, and socio-environmental […]
Past Energy Access Chief, UN Foundation, to Keynote HOMER International Microgrid Conference
Former head of energy access for the United Nations Foundation Richenda Van Leeuwen to give keynote address at the HOMER International Microgrid Conference 2016, to take place at Columbia University, New York, on November 7-8.
Ending Worldwide Rural Energy Poverty with Clean, Off-grid Solutions: Part 2
Part 1 of this post addressed the issue of global energy poverty in rural areas: its implications, challenges, and promising developments in African nations and in India. Part 2 […]
French Microgrids, Utility Industry Chasms, Smart Indian Villages: Microgrid News Roundup
Weekly Microgrid News, August 5, 2016 This week’s Microgrid News Roundup includes: Minnesota university awarded grant to build microgrid designed for research and technology development… In France, an experimental microgrid […]
Ending Worldwide Rural Energy Poverty with Clean, Off-grid Solutions: Part 1
More than 1.2 billion people worldwide lack basic access to electricity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 95% of these people are in Sub-Saharan Africa and developing […]
Solar Flight & More Weekly Microgrid News Highlights from HOMER Energy, Week Ending 7/29/16
The Flying Microgrid: Solar Impulse Completes Fuel-free Around-the-world Solar Flight Solar Impulse 2 landed its final leg this week, a 100% solar flight from Cairo to Abu Dhabi […]
Head of New York Public Service Commission to Keynote HOMER International Microgrid Conference
Audrey Zibelman, chair of the New York Dept of Public Service Commission (PSC), will give the keynote address at the 4th Annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference coming up […]
Create Your Own Microgrid Control Strategies with HOMER Pro APIs
Microgrid control strategies are at the heart of successful microgrid design and optimization. Now HOMER Pro truly puts the concept of “control” into microgrid control strategies. Version 3.7, […]
Updates from Africa, SLC Plans for 100% Green..and More Microgrid News Highlights, Week Ended July 15, 2016
News highlights include newly installed microgrid at the Loisaba Conservancy, launch of the Tanzania SE4All “Action Agenda and Investment Prospectus,” Stratean acquires CleanSpark, (ACMTC) competition now open for applications, Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) completes $200 million Macquarie Capital transaction, Texas Microgrid to power H-E-B groceries during outages…
IEEE Proceedings Zooms In on Smart Buildings-Microgrid Integration
In a special issue of the Proceedings of the IEEE, 11 research papers cover topics ranging from an analysis of geo-referenced building data in the evaluation of thermal microgrids and the use of automated demand response (DR) systems in smart buildings and microgrids to envisioning changes in behavior as the evolution towards consumer-centric power grids continues.
Main-grid and Microgrid Bankability in Africa: A Comparison
Clusters of gas-fired turbines, big dams, and geothermal projects in Sub-Saharan Africa tend to have very complex financing structures. In addition, they also often involve complex debt/equity structures from local banks. Microgrids, however, are within the reach of much smaller organizations.
HOMER Energy News Highlights, Week Ended July 8, 2016
A municipal utility renewable energy microgrid in Ohio and an energy security installation at Marine Air Corps Base Miramar are among the highlights of this week’s microgrid and distributed energy news.
(Must read!) On Using Software to Make Case for Mini-grid Deployment; G20 Energy Meeting. News Extra 7/5/16
HOMER Director of Energy Engineering John Glassmire discusses how to use software to make a strong business case for mini-grid deployment in an easy-to-digest article; IRENA reports on 2016 G20 Energy Ministers Meeting.