Microgrids in rural America are relatively new, so much so that most Americans haven’t heard the term”Microgrid.” So, Microgrids are smaller independent power grids that can operate and are typically powered by more sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and Contact online >>
Microgrids in rural America are relatively new, so much so that most Americans haven’t heard the term”Microgrid.” So, Microgrids are smaller independent power grids that can operate and are typically powered by more sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro. Renewable energy sources can be finicky depending on environmental factors; however, microgrids have solved this problem by including batteries that serve as backup energy storage solutions for continuous power supply.
They aren’t necessarily new inventions introduced around the 1980s -1990s. It gained traction in the early 2000s, notably gaining critical attention and funding after the Northeast Blackout in 2003, triggered by a software bug in an alarm system at First Energy Corporation in Ohio. It affected over 50 million people across the midwestern United States, as well as parts of Ontario, Canada, caused by a high voltage power line brushing overgrown trees. After this, it started receiving corporate funding and was installed in areas with a high need for reliable energy (such as military bases, hospitals, and campuses)
Microgrids are revolutionizing rural America because this region is constantly in the splash zone of numerous natural disasters. It is sparsely connected to the main central power grids and suffers from frequent power shortages. Another factor lies with the cons of traditional power grids: they are more expensive and time-consuming to build and maintain. They also face higher energy costs due to their remote nature.
Microgrids are complex engineering marvels made of mainly three common components:
The Energy Research Institute highlights the benefits acquired from microgrid sites. “Microgrids can provide backup power during grid outages, ensuring continuous electricity supply access in rural America, delivering both resilience and sustainability.”
These microgrids play a huge role in the economic development of rural America. The reliable power supply sourced from microgrids attracts industries and corporations, further developing the region. An added bonus is its naturally resilient and independent nature to natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and winter storms.
Not only that, even as industries begin to shift to the rural region and provide employment in the installation, maintenance, and operation of these power, the air quality still comes out as a net positive as greenhouse gas emissions don’t increase with microgrids using renewable sources of energy and not relying on fossil fuels.
Also Read: Hydrogen-Powered Cities: Could Hydrogen Be The Answer To Urban Energy Needs?
Problem: A Native American Tribe of the rural Blue Lake Rancheria in Northern California faced high irregular power supply at an extremely marked-up price due to its distance being further from the main central frame.
Microgrid Solution: A microgrid powered by solar panels with energy storage battery backup allowed the community to have reliable, consistent power.
The Microgrid has significantly reduced the tribe’s energy costs, leading to up to 50% savings. The grid also aids in reducing the tribe’s carbon footprint using renewable energy. This comes especially in handy as the California wildfires have devastated the region, but with the Microgrid installed, uninterrupted resilient power supply has resumed.
Problem: The Isle Au Haut has relied on diesel and other fossil fuels for decades. On the island off the coast of Maine, as the rest of the country modernized, the cost of diesel and the Environmental impact of constant trapping of greenhouse gases took a toll on the community.
Microgrid Solution: A solar-powered microgrid, including solar panels, battery storage, and a diesel generator as a backup, was installed. The Annual Cost Savings Were calculated to be approximately $97,000, and the Percentage Reduction seen in Annual Costs is 17%
Installing microgrids improved local virtuality and provided economic stability and employment in a new sector.
The Microgrid has significantly reduced the town’s energy costs, leading to savings. The grid also aids in reducing the carbon footprint, while the microgrids could also power through temperate natural disasters, ensuring essential services and community upliftment.
Also Read: Energy Harvesting: Capturing Ambient Energy For Everyday Use
Though microgrids are at the forefront of the industry as a titan, they also have their cons like any other product, mainly the high upfront capital investment for installations and periodic industry-standard upgrades and replacements. Considering this is a relatively new invention compared to mainframe power centers, it is largely unregulated within litigation, causing a lot of grey areas that industries and corporations can exploit.
This causes a delay in the approval and installation of a microgrid project due to its lack of federal awareness, clear, streamlined policies, and bureaucratic procedure, meaning installation and approval are long and tedious feats.
Microgrids have transformed energy access in rural America, creating a positive chain of events through all sections of the economy. Their resilient nature with power backups, along with recent advancements in battery technology (e.g., lithium-ion), increase storage capacity and efficiency. Their immensely independent power supply, along with the bonus of being beneficial for the environment, makes them one of the most prominent choices for energy sources for rural America. They noticeably close the energy access gap for undercounted rural areas.
The Department of Energy states, “The evolution of microgrids will reshape rural America, bringing sustainable and independent power to even the most remote communities.”
Also Read: Home Energy Efficiency Hacks: Cut Costs And Carbon Footprint
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About Vaduz rural microgrids
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Vaduz rural microgrids have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
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