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Message from the Founder

The 8th Annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference was a great success. In addition to a review of some of the highlights of our conference, this issue of Microgrid News has a fascinating article about a solar microgrid above the Arctic Circle and a story that highlights the role of microgrids in making municipal services more resilient. We are confident that 2021 will be a banner year for renewables and predict that we will see more emphasis on resilience.

Message from the Founder

Beyond serving as an introduction to the 8th Annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference which starts Monday, October 12, this issue of Microgrid News highlights new developments in the field of distributed energy such as the release of FERC Order 2222, current efforts to boost resiliency in California, and new power solutions for islanded communities.

Looking to the Past to Predict the Future of Microgrid Markets

By studying historic drivers and evaluating current market indicators, Wood Mackenzie researcher Isaac Maze-Rothstein has gathered key insights related to microgrid markets in both the US and Kenya. He and colleague Benjamin Attia have mapped out an overview of what the future may look like for these markets. They will present their findings at the 8th annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference on October 12.

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.

HOMER Training: The Roadmap to Better System Modeling and a Sustainable Future

HOMER Energy by UL’s educational curriculum covers all of the essential skills needed to analyze distributed generation and microgrid projects and get the most out of the software. Senior Engineer, Head of Professional Services, and Lead Trainer Aleph Baumbach and his team tailor sessions to address each audience’s needs and support individual projects with hands-on training. Baumbach’s enthusiasm for developing a better path to sustainability is infectious.

Message from the Founder – September 2020: Evolution of the Microgrid Industry, HIMC 2020, Remote Monitoring, EV Truck Fleets & Regulations

In this issue of HOMER Microgrid News, we will preview some of the presentations you will hear, including a topic dear to my heart, remote monitoring. We also have an article on a hybrid battery combining the power of lithium with the durability and energy content of a flow battery, and an article on the coming wave of electric truck fleets.

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.

How to Adapt Microgrids to New Constraints Brought on by the Novel Coronavirus

The challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic make it more critical than ever to ensure that businesses have abundant, continuous power. Project developers can prepare businesses by equipping them with smart energy management systems that allow for remote commissioning, autonomous control, and reliable off-site monitoring and data logging.

Extending Battery Life with Control Strategies: An Interview with Jonathan Schulte

Jonathan Schulte explores the ways in which microgrid control methods informed by forecast-based algorithms can extend battery life and decrease operational costs. He will present his research at the 8th annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference in October. Schulte and his team have developed a method for reducing the average state of charge of lithium-based battery systems and decreasing the time the battery spends in a fully charged state—both of which lead to longer battery lifetimes without impacting the system performance.

Flow Batteries: Technology Synergies Will Provide Grid Stabilization

Flow batteries are considered excellent choice for large-scale energy storage projects for a number of reasons, but primarily because they can cycle for multiple short periods daily, for about 30 years while maintaining an even performance. The Energy Superhub Oxford will install the UK’s first transmission-connected battery, a lithium-ion/vanadium flow battery, sited at National Grid’s Cowley Substation.

Registration Now Open for Virtual 8th Annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference

Registration is now open for the 8th annual HOMER International Microgrid Conference, taking place online October 12-16, 2020. Attendance is free for this five-day virtual event, with online sessions led by global industry experts who will explore the rapidly changing world of microgrids and distributed energy resources.

Ace Natural, New York: Organic Food Wholesaler Builds Microgrid to Boost Resilience and Cut Utility Bills

An organic food distributor in the metro New York area recently installed a microgrid – designed by HOMER Grid – to improve their bottom line along with their resiliency. Ace Natural is saving more than half their utility costs by using renewable energy, while batteries and a generator powered by biodiesel ensure continuous operations if there’s a power outage: