| | DEC 2019 - JAN 20208E ERGYTech ReviewAll Microgrids Are Not Created Equal By Carl Cottuli, VP Power Systems Engineering, Bloom EnergyThe extreme weather events and power outages that taxed the nation the past year have signaled a `new normal,' one in which access to resilient, reliable power is far from guaranteed. In California, intensifying fire threats resulted in intentional power cuts for millions ­ not once, but a handful of times. In the northeast, a record-breaking bomb cyclone wiped out power for more than half a million people across multiple states.The confluence of a changing climate and an aging grid has left our energy supply vulnerable, spotlighting the stark lack of resiliency that exists in our current system and leading businesses on a quest for advanced power solutions. Proactively considering and managing these energy solutions is especially imperative for leaders tasked with safeguarding resiliency and ensuring business continuity, such as the CxOs of organizations. Microgrids are one such energy solution. They operate as miniature versions of the centralized electric grid that dispatch, distribute, and regulate the flow of electricity. It is their ability to be `islanded' from the main power grid, which is their key distinguishing factor, enabling them to operate through any grid disruption continuously. But when it comes to microgrid solutions, one size does not fit all. Microgrids require collaboration and customization in order to meet the needs of a business. This can make the process of planning and building microgrids a complex, sometimes lengthy endeavor. The good news is, there is some evaluation and investigation you can do ahead of time to lighten the load, so to speak.What to Consider When Designing a MicrogridDesigning a successful microgrid is about ensuring harmony between the power supply side and the power demand side.Let's start with the demand side. The first step is to fully understand your facility, your processes, and, most importantly, your load. Consider your reliability requirements ­ how much flexibility do you have in your power demands? Could you tolerate a dip in power quality? A one-hour outage? What would a day without power mean for your facility? How about a five-day outage event?Begin associating a dollar value with the resiliency of your power supply. This will help you determine which loads are critical and which you can do without, which in turn, informs peak microgrid sizing.A partial microgrid that keeps the power on for the most critical operations, while sacrificing the rest, might make the most sense for your facility. Cost limits come into play here, and Carl CottuliIN MY OPINION
< Page 7 | Page 9 >