What is a microgrid & how does it work?

A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. It can connect and disconnect from the grid to operate in grid-connected or island mode. Microgrids can improve customer reliability and resilience to grid disturbances.

What is the microgrid installation database?

The Microgrid Installation Database includes a comprehensive listing of the U.S.’s 461 operational microgrids that provide a total of 3.1 gigawatts of reliable electricity. The information, which is updated on a monthly basis, is presented in a tabular format to help users easily access and sort data. The site features:

Where are microgrids commonly located?

More than 50% of operational microgrids are located in states on the East Coast and West Coast of the United States. Regional hot spots include California, the Northeast, and Alaska.

What are advanced microgrids?

Advanced microgrids enable local power generation assets—including traditional generators, renewables, and storage—to keep the local grid running even when the larger grid experiences interruptions or, for remote areas, where there is no connection to the larger grid.

What is a microgrid (MG)?

The MG is a promising potential for a modernized electric infrastructure , . The term “microgrid” refers to the concept of a small number of DERs connected to a single power subsystem. DERs include both renewable and /or conventional resources . The electric grid is no longer a one-way system from the 20th-century .

How much does a microgrid cost?

The analysis shows that controller costs per megawatt range from $6,200/MW to $470,000/MW, excluding outliers, with a mean of $155,000/MW for the microgrids in the database. In total, controller cost data was available for 21 microgrids out of a total of 80 projects in the Phase I Microgrid Cost Study by NREL.