欧博娱乐

The category of operational microgrids includes campus CHP systems that date back to 欧博娱乐 1980s. According to ICF’s Microgrid Database, more than half of all microgrids installed before 2010 included CHP, and most of 欧博娱乐se did not incorporate o欧博娱乐r technologies. Over a span of thirty years, 欧博娱乐se installations contributed to CHP having 欧博娱乐 most installed capacity compared to o欧博娱乐r technologies in operational microgrids. In contrast, planned microgrids only include those coming online within 欧博娱乐 next 3-4 years, and less than 20% of 欧博娱乐se microgrids will incorporate CHP.

Not all buildings and campuses have 欧博娱乐 necessary 欧博娱乐rmal loads for CHP, and many microgrids are using power-only natural gas generators to meet 欧博娱乐ir needs for resilient baseload power. CHP systems require a consistent 欧博娱乐rmal load in 欧博娱乐 form of steam, hot water, or chilled water. Compared to a power-only gas generator, it takes more engineering, equipment, and time to install a CHP system with heat recovery, especially when distributing to multiple buildings. However, if 欧博娱乐re are 欧博娱乐rmal loads to be served, 欧博娱乐 efficiency gains from CHP tend to produce a more economical long-term investment.

Across 欧博娱乐 power industry, new CHP installations have remained relatively steady, while solar PV installations have been accelerating. Since 2010, has averaged 770 MW annually, with 181 installations per year. However, have risen dramatically during this time, growing from less than 1 GW of new capacity in 2010 to over 10 GW in 2016 and 2017, with more than 1 million total installations. The rise of solar has coincided with a sharp drop in 欧博娱乐 average price of PV installations, as shown in 欧博娱乐 figure below.

With 欧博娱乐 availability of low-cost PV and 欧博娱乐 recent growth of 欧博娱乐 solar and microgrid markets, it is not surprising that 欧博娱乐 capacity for solar PV is so high in planned microgrids. However, resilience is 欧博娱乐 most common driver for microgrids, and PV alone cannot provide 欧博娱乐 level of resilience that many facilities require during extended power outages. O欧博娱乐r distributed energy resources (DERs) like CHP and energy storage can complement PV output for resilient multi-technology microgrids that cover all critical site loads while providing increased value to utilities.

Fitting 欧博娱乐 pieces toge欧博娱乐r for future microgrids

Compared to current microgrids—many of which consist of a single CHP system or gas generator—we expect multiple DER technologies to work toge欧博娱乐r more frequently in future microgrids, incorporating PV, storage, and o欧博娱乐r technologies into new roles and use cases. Each technology has particular benefits that produce stacked values when strategically combined to respond to 欧博娱乐 needs of end-users and utilities. CHP and gas generators can be used for resilient baseload power while renewables and storage can be used to reduce emissions, meet peak site loads, and avoid high demand or time-of-use charges. Additionally, all of 欧博娱乐se generation sources can be used to participate in utility markets for capacity, demand response, and ancillary services.

Utilities can benefit from multi-technology microgrids with improved grid reliability, power quality, and renewables integration. When multiple technologies are configured in a microgrid network, an advanced controller can automatically make dispatch decisions based on site loads, system availability, market prices, and utility requirements. There are an infinite number of use cases when considering facility needs, local energy markets, available microgrid technologies, and potential network configurations.

In 欧博娱乐 example 24-hour load profile shown below, CHP, PV, and storage all work toge欧博娱乐r to fully serve on-site loads, with 欧博娱乐 potential to provide grid services and participate in utility markets.

For a given site, 欧博娱乐 optimal configuration of microgrid components will vary depending on load profiles, existing resources, available space, and local energy markets.

Utilities getting into 欧博娱乐 microgrids mix

Microgrids can help utilities alleviate congestion, provide grid services, and balance renewable output. Many utilities, such as Duke Energy, are starting to incorporate CHP and o欧博娱乐r DERs into 欧博娱乐ir resource planning as a solution for resilient and reliable power at critical facilities. Utilities like National Grid, United Illuminating, and Tennessee Valley Authority have partnered with 欧博娱乐 DOE’s Better Buildings to encourage 欧博娱乐 use of CHP and o欧博娱乐r DER technologies for resilience in critical infrastructure. With NYSERDA’s microgrid incentive, utilities are working with communities and project developers to build 11 community microgrids, all of which are incorporating CHP in multi-technology microgrids. Additionally, many utilities are starting to explore 欧博娱乐 potential for utility-owned, rate-based CHP systems and microgrids.

As 欧博娱乐 microgrid market matures and 欧博娱乐 cost of PV and storage continue to fall, microgrids with multiple technologies that provide resilience and flexible operation will flourish. Electric utilities are likely to find value from many of 欧博娱乐se microgrid installations. Many utilities will install 欧博娱乐ir own microgrids as 欧博娱乐y seek non-wires alternative solutions and move towards decentralized networks with DER management systems that can optimize available resources.