Microgrids Could Enhance Grid Resilience

Companies, military bases, universities, and other institutions partner with utilities to develop microgrids that meet their specific energy goals. For example, one fire station in North Carolina worked with Duke Energy to create a microgrid at the nearby substation. The microgrid is capable of powering not only the fire station but other facilities as well.

Microgrids can also provide bigger benefits to the grid. They enable distributed energy resources to be utilized during outages. They also reduce strain on the grid when there is high demand or spikes in demand that could lead to outages.

I think many utilities are looking at microgrids as an option to help stabilize the local grid, defer future investments, and support the distribution and transmission levels of the grid. Utilities could potentially reap several benefits from incorporating microgrids into their planning. Microgrids can help manage energy use and demand more efficiently at different times, making the overall grid more resilient and adaptable.

Rory McIlmoil