Learn what makes a microgrid, the types of microgrids and nanogrids and the benefits of microgrids for commercial & industrial facilities. microgrids. Also see how different arrangements of microgrids increase energy savings, sustainability, electrical reliability and resiliency.

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The What & Why
of Microgrids for
Facilities

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Electrical Supply System
Many uncertainties …
• Future of electric utilities
• How renewables alter grid operations
• Politically-driven energy plans
• How to deal with a fragile grid
‒ 70% more than 30 years old
‒ Some parts 100 years old
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Challenges for Facilities
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Growing electricity supply risks
• Increases in price and variability
‒Utility revenue models changing
• Energy options being limited
‒As response to environmental concerns
• Risks to grid reliability increasing
‒Operational & adequacy issues
• No simple fix for aging grid
‒Potential for more frequent outages

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Mitigate Electricity Supply Risks
Microgrids provide:
• Choice of electricity source
‒You choose
• Control – when & how to use
‒You decide
• Reliability of electricity
‒You get premium power
• Resilience to disasters
‒Operate during lengthy blackouts
• Risk management
‒Reduce operational & financial risks
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Microgrid Bottom Line
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Electrical supply system challenges…
…increase likelihood of price increases & outages.
Microgrids reduce reliance on the grid…
…and increase efficiency, power quality & sustainability.

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What’s a Microgrid?
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A microgrid is a small, self-
contained energy system made
up of interconnected and
balanced electrical loads and
sources and may or may not be
connected to the electrical grid.
Load
Source

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The Simplest Microgrid
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A solar house…
• Solar photovoltaic panels are the electrical source
• HVAC, lighting, etc. are connected loads
• A utility connection is optional, but nearly all homes use one
Buy Sell

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Types of Microgrids
Despite the “micro” label:
• Microgrids are not defined by their size
• But, are defined by function or application, such as:
• Campus microgrid (e.g. schools, offices, factories)
‒Supplies utility or internally generated electricity
‒Interconnects one or more buildings
• Off-grid microgrid
‒Relies entirely on self-generation – no utility connection
• District heating microgrid
‒A campus microgrid also providing steam or hot water
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Nanogrids
Nanogrids…
• A specialized type of microgrid, such as
• Used for specific voltages (e.g. 12VDC, 208VAC), or
• Used for specific load types (e.g. DC lighting, critical loads)
Nanogrids are often “nested” within microgrids
• A microgrid may be made of multiple nanogrids
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nano-: combining form [nanˈō]
prefix
indicating extreme smallness

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2C3RSM
Microgrid Choice
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Electricity choices:
• To generate or buy electricity
‒Spark spread: natural gas vs electricity costs
‒Utility price incentives or disincentives
• More sustainable options
‒Generate with renewables
‒Combined heat & power (CHP) generation
‒Purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
• Energy efficiency options
‒Combining waste heat recovery
‒District heating network
‒DC nanogrid

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2C3RSM
Microgrid Control
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Control of electricity options:
• You choose optimum times to -
‒Generate, buy, store or release electricity
• To minimize costs -
‒Electricity costs
‒Energy costs
‒Time-of-use charges
‒Demand charges
‒Load shifting
‒Maximize Demand Response revenue

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2C3RSM
Microgrid Reliability
Eliminate power quality (PQ) problems
• Poor PQ costs U.S. businesses $180 billion per year
• Most problems start on the utility’s side
‒Wind, lightning, poor maintenance, etc.
• Internal generation delivers high quality electricity
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2C3RSM
Microgrid Resilience
Microgrid reduces potential of long-term power outages
• From hurricanes, tornados, fires, floods, ice, accidents, etc.
• Natural gas system is extremely reliable
• Wind & solar generation also helps
• Internal generation = resilience
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Conventional Arrangement
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Typical electrical consumer
• Paying for whatever the utility offers
Choice 1 Control 1 Reliability 0 Resiliency 0
• Few ways to save costs
• Subject to demand charges
• Generally poor reliability
• No resiliency
Out of 5

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Microgrid Arrangements
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The basic microgrid
• Adding a single integrated generation source
• Utility used for backup, incremental supply and selling excess
Choice 2 Control 2 Reliability 3 Resiliency 3
• Two choices
‒Generate or buy
• Added control of usage
• Increased reliability
• Increased resiliency
Out of 5

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Microgrid Arrangements
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Multi-source microgrid
• Renewables & natural gas for cost saving & sustainability
• CHP substantially increases efficiency & resiliency
Choice 4 Control 3 Reliability 4 Resiliency 4
• Optimize choice of source
• More control of use
• High reliability
• Very high resiliency
Out of 5

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Microgrid Arrangements
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Advanced Microgrid
• Addition of energy and electricity storage
• Maximizes cost saving, reliability & resiliency
Choice 5 Control 5 Reliability 5 Resiliency 5
• Maximum choice
• Very high control
• Highest reliability
• Highest resiliency
• Optimum operations
Out of 5

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Microgrid Arrangements
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DC Nanogrid
• Maximizes efficiency by optimizing AC-DC & DC-AC conversions
• Maximum sustainability options
Choice 5+ Control 5+ Reliability 5 Resiliency 5 Out of 5

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Financial & Other Considerations
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Microgrids support…
• Energy cost saving & revenue generation
• Energy efficiency increases up to 50%
• Multiple sustainability strategies
• Advantages from economies of scale
• Phased installation & expansion
• Future energy & electricity technologies

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Planning Your Microgrid
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Define your energy needs & objectives
• Include sustainability goals & corporate values
Get professional assistance to examine options
• Data collection – loads, generation, operation, etc.
• Modeling – arrangements , technologies & financials
• Permitting & licensing review
• Study – normal operation, stability, faults, protection, etc.
• Design validation
• Construction & installation planning
‒Design Build, Design Assist, turnkey, etc.

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Contact TMI…
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www.engiemep.com
2C3R is a service mark for Trystate Mechanical’s line Distributed Generation services
…to discuss your microgrid options