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Someone pointing at data collection chart.

Microgrid Controls: Communicating in Real-Time

November 18, 2022

With the ever-evolving technological backdrop to society, people want instant feedback and access to information. We can monitor our front porch video feed from our cell phone while we are on a beach vacation, we can preheat the oven at our house before we leave the office, and we can start our cars in the bitter cold winter from the comfort and warmth of our homes. With the advancement of technology not slowing down, microgrids should have the functionality to communicate in real time. Below are three things a microgrid controller should be able to do: accept control commands, engage in site and wide area optimization, and report its own health.   Accept Control Commands Modern microgrid control systems have many features for managing the combined resources within their purview.  A good example of a feature grouping is the algorithms involved in the control of storage batteries.  Given some understanding of the future, such as tomorrow’s weather forecast or tomorrow’s power pricing, decisions must be made about when to charge and when to discharge the battery.  Many other control decisions have to be made

problems microgrids can solve, photo of microgrid set up.

Three Problems Microgrids Can Solve

September 30, 2022

Utilities face a variety of challenges in today’s business and technical environment.  While customers want lower prices, they also want greater reliability in general, and greater resilience at their specific location.  A utility leader recently characterized the customer side of the equation, saying “It used to be that customers could occasionally cope with going 48 hours without power.  Now, as soon as their cell phone battery goes dead, it’s a crisis for them.”  Large, corporate solutions to these issues are expensive and don’t always solve the problem right to the customer’s door.  On the other hand, microgrids and distributed power generation, can solve these problems and can do so comprehensively. Below are three problems that microgrids and distributed generation can solve. Problem #1: Low Power Generation from Utility Grid Historically, when a utility system became capacity “constrained,” the solution was to build bigger central station generators.  These installations were difficult to build in the past and even more so now. This is partly due to the risk of recovering such large investments in a constantly changing regulatory environment, and partly

Digital electrical meters lined up in rows and columns.

Choosing Demand Response Programs

September 23, 2022

Demand response programs offer many utility consumers a great way to lower their electric utility bills by reducing the demand component (kilowatts) of monthly costs. There are a variety of ways to achieve this improvement, and those ways continue to evolve. The questions below show a logical path you can follow to find out which programs work best for you. 1. What is the electric load profile of the location? It is important to understand the electric load profile of the location in question. For example, is the daily load pattern a slow up and down curve throughout the day, like residential loads? Or is the load relatively flat and stable during non-working hours, but then steps up to a higher level when, for example, employees arrive? The type of demand programs that have the most impact will highly depend on these patterns. 2. What demand programs are offered by the serving utility? The next big step is to evaluate the demand programs offered by the serving utility. Many utility companies offer programs in which customers “enroll” to regularly shift

Photo showing a city with a river nearby.

Implementing a Microgrid for Demand Response

June 10, 2022

With increasing power outages and electricity rate volatility, you know you need backup power. You also know you need to offset the associated costs of your backup power and microgrid through your local utility-sponsored demand response programs. So, what’s next? Continue reading to learn the steps we walk our clients through for microgrid and demand response program implementation. Choosing the right demand response program Evaluate Site Load A site load energy audit will be one of the first steps toward implementing a microgrid for demand response. Determining load profile, peak demand, and identifying critical loads are essential first steps in installing the most efficient assets on site for a given load. Evaluating a site load requires looking at utility data over as long a relevant time span as possible. Many commercial businesses rely on a preferred demand response partner/asset manager like Mesa Solutions to help with their energy audit, analysis, and recommendations for a turnkey Resiliency-as-a-Service Program offering. Asset Management Strategy Most local utilities offer a variety of demand response programs. Not all may be the right fit for your

Ice on a Texas sign due to a power outage.

Lessons From the Texas Power Outages

October 14, 2021

4 million Texans experience power loss as temperatures reach record lows below zero. Texas is facing major power outages while record-low temperatures sweep across the United States. Tuesday afternoon 5NBC Dallas Fort Worth reports 4 million North Texans are experiencing power loss as temperatures reach record lows below zero. Another winter storm is forecasted to hit from northwestern and north-central Texas to northern Maine (AccuWeather). ERCOT, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, is now requiring local utilities to institute controlled power shutoffs to relieve the grid and ensure emergency services remain in operation. What has this taught us… 1. Plan for the worst Many Texas communities never planned for long outages like the one they’re experiencing, with some communities going into day 3 without power. One thing we’ve learned is that not only do you need to be proactive in planning your standby power solution but assume your next outage will be four months, not 4 days. When planning for the worst, it is important to consider how long your backup power can last… Some backup generators are only designed

Resilient Standby Power represented with light bulbs.

5 Simple Steps to Resilient Standby Power

May 27, 2021

In today’s world, resilient standby power is essential for both individuals and businesses alike. Power outages can occur due to various reasons such as natural disasters, accidents, or grid failures, and can cause significant disruptions in our daily lives. Having a reliable standby power system in place can help us mitigate the impact of such events and ensure that essential needs are met. Below, we outline five simple steps that can help you achieve resilient standby power and prepare for the unexpected. 1. Know The Difference Between “Reliability” And “Resilience” There are varying definitions for reliability and resilience that leave us confused and assuming it all means the same thing. It is important to note that while we want both to be “high,” the two are NOT synonymous. Keep them straight and simple with the following definitions. HIGH RELIABILITY means your primary source of power is almost always on and usable. HIGH RESILIENCE means your backup system is available quickly whenever you need it. In today’s dizzying array of power options, you can decide what level of reliability and resilience

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