Communities Going Off the Grid In Record Number
The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has generated considerable hand-wringing among environmentalists, and it seems to become more intense with each passing nomination of a right-wing extremist to a cabinet position, and each tweet from the president-elect himself suggesting something blatantly unconstitutional. But those concerned with the future of our civilization need to remain aware that clean energy is in the process of replacing fossil fuels, regardless of the incendiary politics of the day.
Here’s a trend that’s becoming more prevalent each month: local communities are deciding that they can both save money and mitigate environmental damage by forging their own microgrid, and powering it with distributed renewable energy.
It’s another reminder that the histrionics always grabs our attention, but the underlying reality is often quite soothing.
Off Grid Micro Grid is a serious but rewarding challenge, if its done properly.
Off the traditional Grid Community or “Customer Cluster” Microgrid Solutions are a great concept and very doable, but only when all of the necessary stars line up, and there are several that must line up for there to be any chance of an enduring, useful and commercially viable outcome for the community customers involved.
We are talking ‘specifically’ about Off Grid tecnology solutions here, which should NOT be confused with energy systems that have any interface whatsoever with the traditional local grid.
Off Grid Micro Grid Solutions therefore are a completely different subject to Grid Connected Micro Grid Solutions and they require very different system design attributes.
The obvious main difference is that Off Grid Micro Grid Solutions rely 100% on energy generation sources independent of the traditional grid and under the control and ownership of the Micro Grid customers themselves under various ownership models.
Suitable energy sources and system design are dependent on topographical and many other critical circumstances, but might as a minimum include solar PV and some form of energy storage or secondary power source or both.
Summary: Off Grid Micro Grid Solutions are very doable; but their successful performance (permanently and guaranteed) is entirely dependent on the skills and experiece of the system designer (not the customers themselves).
And it is for that main reason that you will not see many useful Off Grid Micro Grid Solutions around at the moment, as well as specialist Micro Grid design and install practitioners.
Lawrence Coomber
Well Said Lawrence .
Right now they are Boutique system but will gain acceptance in big cities where there is peak load congestion in Distribution system , Utilities will recognize the benefit and open their Grid up some , in due time.
In India where Lawrence is they have a T & D constraint. Not enough infrastructure to move power to all end users.
So Laurence you are in prime location to do some Magic!
In rural settings interconnecting mines and rural farms might present some applications due to load diversity. Tend to be served by Co Ops in the US ( not all) so capacity reductions are a goal of Co Ops as they dont have any generation assets to prevent from being Stranded and lost.
interesting