Recent developments in microgrid and battery storage technology and case studies of island communities that have been using microgrid technology successfully.

1. Microgrids: The Unicorns Have Landed!
Brought to you by the power solutions team at
Charles “Charlie” Van Winkle cvanwinkle@northernreliability.com

2. What is a Microgrid
Micro-grids are electricity distribution systems containing loads and distributed energy resources, that can be operated in a controlled, coordinated way either while connected to the main power network or while islanded.1 1- U.S. DOE Berkeley National Labs

3. Types of Microgrids
1.Customer or True Microgrid (μgrids) – self governed, downstream of a Point of Common Coupling (PCC) they fit into current technology.
2.Utility or Community Microgrid (mgrids) – technically similar to the Customer or True grid but it involves utility owned infrastructure.
3.Virtual Microgrid (vgrids) - a concept that coordinates multiple distributed generation resources to operate as a True or Utility microgrid.
4.Remote Power Systems (rgrids) - separate from the traditional grid, isolated, involve similar technology, so closely related they are commonly described as microgrids. U.S. DOE Berkeley National Labs

4. Diesel Plant Traditional Component of a Remote Grid

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U.S. No 2 Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur
Retail Prices (Dollars per Gallon)
U.S. No 2 Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur (0-15 ppm) Retail Prices (Dollars per Gallon)
Source : U.S. Energy Information Administration

6. Adding renewables into the island grid can balance the energy generation requirements.

7. Evaluate the most prevalent resource, to optimize how renewables can benefit your grid

8. Irradiance Graph

10. Hybrid Power System, Mt. Blue State Park , near Wells , ME

11. Resource Site Assessment

12. Hybrid Power System, Battery Energy Storage Room

13. Hybrid Power System, Control Screen

14. The Energy Challenge
An island power system would typically run 24 hour per day , 7 days per week on a diesel generation power plant. Factors that affect the operation of the system includes fluctuation in diesel fuel prices, fuel transportation costs, storage, and ongoing maintenance costs .
The Island Microgrid Solution
Integrating renewables with the existing energy generation assets, adding battery energy storage in an environmentally controlled shelter with a performance monitoring interface can lead to the following .
The Benefits 50% Reduction in Generator Run Time
50% Savings in fuel consumption and transportation costs

17. What’s Next?
•Predictive Analytics
•Solar & Wind Forecasting
•Intelligent Asset Management
•Smart Grid

18. Questions?
Charles “Charlie” Van Winkle
Northern Reliability Inc.
340 Mad River Park
Waitsfield, VT 05673
E-mail: cvanwinkle@northernreliability.com
Phone: 802.496.2955
www.northernreliability.com