On Friday, June 30, 2023, Arroyo Investors, a Houston-based, independent investment manager, announced that it closed an investment in Mesa Solutions. To learn more about Arroyo and read the press release, click here.
An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is a critical component of a backup power system that ensures and automatic transfer of power supply from the primary power source to a backup generator during a power outage. It plays a vital role in maintaining power supply in various industries, including healthcare, data centers, and manufacturing. This article will explore what an ATS is, how it works, and its advantages. What is an Automatic Transfer Switch? An ATS is an electrical device that switches the power supply source from the utility grid to a backup generator in the event of a power outage. It is designed to detect power outages and immediately transfer the power supply to the backup generator, which can be powered by natural gas, propane, or diesel. An ATS also monitors the power supply from the backup generator to ensure that it is stable and reliable. How does an Automatic Transfer Switch work? An ATS works by constantly monitoring the voltage and frequency of the incoming power supply from the utility grid. When a power outage occurs, the ATS automatically
In today’s world, the ability to keep a grocery store running during power outages is more important than ever. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, can cause long-term power outages that can put your store’s inventory and reputation at risk. In addition, unexpected power outages can occur due to equipment failures, accidents, and other factors, leaving you with no time to prepare. Without a backup power plan in place, your grocery store could face several risks that could have serious consequences for your business. These risks include: Loss of Inventory: One of the biggest risks of power outages is the loss of inventory. Without power, your refrigeration units will stop working, causing your perishable goods to spoil. This can result in significant financial losses for your business. Damage to Equipment: Power surges and outages can also damage your equipment, including your refrigeration units, lighting, and point-of-sale systems. This can lead to costly repairs and replacements. Loss of Revenue: If your grocery store is forced to close due to a power outage, you will lose revenue. In addition, customers
The concept of microgrids has been around for a while. However, it’s only recently gained popularity as more and more communities look for ways to generate their own electricity and reduce their dependence on the utility grid. But what exactly is a microgrid, and how does it work? Below, we will break down the basics of microgrids into three key points that even a 4th grader can understand. What is a microgrid? First, a microgrid is a small-scale power system that can operate by itself or with the main power grid. A microgrid can generate its own electricity. It can do this using sources like generators or renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines. It can also draw power from the main utility grid. However, the key difference is that a microgrid can also store energy in batteries or other energy storage systems, allowing it to operate even when the utility grid is down. It’s good to have a variety of power sources in a microgrid so that when one or more of them are unavailable, you will still
Microgrids are an increasingly popular form of energy system, offering benefits such as improved energy resilience and reduced energy costs. However, as technology becomes more complex, effective data management becomes critical for optimizing system performance and achieving these benefits. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of data integration for optimizing microgrid performance and the challenges and best practices for implementing it. Benefits of Data Integration Improved Visibility and Control The first benefit of integrating data is improved visibility and control over microgrid operations. By feeding data from the microgrid into internal systems such as SCADA and energy management systems, operators gain a holistic view of the microgrid and can monitor and control system performance more effectively. This can lead to improved energy efficiency and lower costs, as operators can identify areas of the microgrid that are using excessive energy and make adjustments to optimize performance. Improved Decision-Making Another benefit of data integration is improved decision-making. By collecting and analyzing data from the microgrid, operators can gain insights into system performance and identify areas for improvement. This can help operators
As interest in power reliability and renewable energy management continues to grow, the subject of “microgrids” continues to gain consideration. It’s also important to understand how microgrid controllers play a role in this space. Microgrids are decentralized power systems that consist of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and conventional generators. Microgrid controllers are systems that enable the effective coordination of microgrid components such as renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and loads. Microgrid controllers play an important role in managing the distribution of energy within a microgrid by ensuring optimal use of available resources, minimizing energy losses, and reducing operating costs. Below, we will explore the functions of microgrid controllers and the benefits they offer. Functions of Microgrid Controllers Microgrid controllers are designed to enable effective coordination of microgrid components, and they do this by performing several functions. One of the primary functions of a microgrid controller is to manage the distribution of energy within the microgrid. The controller ensures that the available energy resources are used optimally and that energy losses are
Are you looking for Resilient Power Solutions? Resiliency-as-a-Service is one strategy your business can employ to safeguard its future. In this QuickChat video with Microgrid Knowledge‘s Editor in Chief, Elisa Wood, Malcolm Taylor talks about strategies for customer needs and the value they can create for the customer. He also talks about the Mesa PowerCore™ and how we use it to provide resiliency and reliability. Watch Now
Microgrids have proved to be a reliable and sustainable way to provide energy to communities, businesses, and institutions in recent years, However the process of selecting the appropriate microgrid solution for a given location can be complex and challenging. Three significant roadblocks typically arise when decisions are made about whether to build (and pay for) a microgrid. Two or three of these roadblocks are often present, but any of them can stop the decision-making process. Roadblock 1: Determining the desired application for a given location Stated simply, what are we going to do and why are we going to do it? Answering these questions can be difficult because there are numerous desirable goals to go after. Often, organizations have the desire to achieve multiple goals that require different approaches to accomplish. So, a solution may look inefficient at best or illusive at worst. An excellent method to cut through the clutter is to determine a location’s power load requirement and the time a standby solution must provide backup power in the event of a grid outage. For example, suppose a
