Green Microgrid Pilot Demonstration

Will grid-tied microgrid customers stay connected if the grid fails?

Although grid-tied microgrid customers will likely stay connected to the grid for the foreseeable future, only islanding in the case of utility grid failure, self-consumption of microgrid generated energy could erode the revenue base that has traditionally paid for utility infrastructure investments.

Are microgrids the next frontier in Electrical Engineering?

According to Navigant Research, about 500 new microgrid projects have been deployed around the world within the last six months. Microgrids are shaping up to be the next frontier in electrical engineering. Make sure your staff is ready for the latest technologies associated with smart grid development and implementation.

Where can electrical utilities test microgrid concepts?

Electrical utilities have begun testing microgrid concepts in laboratory-type settings. One example is Duke Energy, which maintains two test microgrid facilities: one in Gaston County, North Carolina , and one in Charlotte, North Carolina .

Should grid-forming converters be used in a zero-carbon microgrid?

In a zero-carbon microgrid, grid-forming converters are always needed at the energy storage side to form the grid without frequency reference. In the future, new control strategies should be studied to enhance the inertia and mitigate the oscillation by coordinating grid-forming and grid-following converters. 6. Conclusions

When did standardized protocols become available for reconnection of microgrid systems?

It wasn’t until the IEEE approved standard 1547.4 in 2011, that standardized protocols became available for safe intentional islanding and reconnection of microgrid systems. IEEE 1547.4 includes guidance for planning, design, operation, and integration of distributed resource island systems with the larger utility grid.

What is a PPA & how does a microgrid work?

The infrastructure in a PPA is owned by a third party and leased to customers to provide electricity and related services to end customers. In the case of microgrids, improved security, reliability, and sustainability can be marketed along with economic benefits like energy cost savings.