What is a microgrid?

loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island mode.”

What are the benefits of a microgrid?

Analyses of the benefits of including the microgrid, as opposed to the same scale conventional development, are performed on three levels: Infrastructure impact: Electric load is presented with and without the microgrid. Economic: Construction cost, anticipated revenue, and time to repay are presented with and without the microgrid.

What is the fastest growing microgrid market?

Historically, the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment has lagged behind other microgrid market segments. When Guidehouse Insights launched its Microgrid Deployment Tracker 10 years ago, it was the smallest of all application segments tracked by identified cumulative capacity. It has emerged as the fastest growing microgrid market worldwide.

Why is the C&I microgrid market so slow?

The C&I microgrid market as defined by Guidehouse Insights has been slow to develop due primarily to the lack of a clear value proposition based on the ROI for microgrids.

How much natural gas does a microgrid use?

As seen in Table 15, a development incorporating a microgrid uses over 10 times the natural gas in all cases than the identical development drawing power from the local distribution grid.

What is the C&I microgrid segment?

The C&I microgrid segment is evolving into one of the most innovative microgrid markets. It is quickly maturing as risk-averse energy managers become more comfortable with the microgrid platform, which is being validated by other customer segments and applications of similar scale and purpose.