The POWER Interview: Advanced Technologies Support Microgrid Movement

Microgrids have grown in importance as the need for a reliable and resilient supply of power has grown. The technology has proven itself for a variety of commercial and industrial (C&I) enterprises, in both urban and rural areas where a source of off-grid—or in some cases grid-connected—energy is needed, whether a backup power or as a primary source of electricity.

Sequoya Cross is vice president of energy storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions, a company that makes battery energy storage systems and standby generators that deliver backup power, energy resilience, and energy efficiency to to both residential and C&I locations. Cross has 20-plus years of experience in the renewable energy space, and is well-versed in the functionality of microgrids. She’s an expert when it comes to backup power for both businesses and homeowners, and the solutions needed to ensure sites have a reliable and resilient energy supply.

Cross is the former CEO of two solar companies and was previously VP of Operations for AEE Solar, which was a longtime distributor of renewable energy equipment. Cross also has served on the board of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA). She recently provided POWER with insight into how microgrids are evolving through the use of advanced technologies.

POWER: What are some of the key features that support functionality of microgrids?

Cross: Let’s start with distributed energy resources (DERs). Microgrids integrate various DERs such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and energy storage solutions. These resources enable the generation and storage of energy close to the point of use, reducing transmission losses and enhancing reliability.

Advanced control systems: Sophisticated control technologies, often called Energy Management Systems (EMS) or microgrid controls, manage the operation of DERs within the microgrid, optimizing energy production, storage, and consumption. These systems ensure seamless integration with the main grid and facilitate autonomous operation during grid outages.

Energy storage systems: Batteries and other storage technologies store excess energy generated during periods of low demand, making it available during peak times or grid outages. This enhances the microgrid’s ability to balance supply and demand effectively.

POWER: What are some of the best technologies to incorporate into the design of a microgrid?

Cross: The best technologies to incorporate into microgrids include renewable energy sources (solar PV, wind), energy storage systems (batteries, flywheels), and CHP systems since they enhance energy resilience and efficiency. These technologies enable microgrids to operate independently during grid outages, support critical loads, and reduce energy costs.

Sophisticated control systems can use multiple storage and supply asset types to support, charge and discharge to specific loads depending on use case. This can enable hydrogen fuel cells for larger, long duration loads; lithium batteries for shorter instantaneous needs; and solar, wind, and hydro for continuous load support and recharging of storage during the day. Microgrid controls can incorporate learning and gaming architectures to continually improve performance and efficiencies, based on historical data on how the system is being utilized.

POWER: What groups should look into investing in microgrids to support their operations?

Cross: Almost any group that has critical infrastructure or high power utilization can benefit from microgrids. For example:

Military installations: Microgrids enhance energy security and resilience, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for critical defense operations. Microgrids can also provide quieter operation and reduce heat signatures given off by diesel generators. This can provide additional safety for soldiers in the field. The U.S. Department of Defense is one of the largest adopters of microgrids. Fort Carson (Colorado) and Marine Corps Air Stations Miramar (California) are key examples.

Businesses and commercial facilities: Microgrids provide reliable power, reduce energy costs through demand management, and support sustainability goals. Critical business operations in which power outages are disruptive or manufacturing facilities that have to have continual production benefit from the instantaneous power of a microgrid vs large diesel generators. The clean power produced is less disruptive.

Hospitals and emergency centers: Like some businesses, hospitals cannot afford outages; they must maintain life-sustaining critical operations.

Data centers: Ensuring continuous operation with high reliability, microgrids offer backup power solutions and enhance energy efficiency. Downtime is costly—both financially and for data integrity. Microgrids provide high-reliability, low-latency energy solutions.

Utility support: In wildfire-ravaged areas of California, microgrids are supporting and providing monitoring of remote power lines and providing power to communities when outages are mandated. These systems are geographically located as hubs to support rural communities.

POWER: Can microgrids serve as a load-balancing mechanism for the larger power grid?

Cross: Yes, this is a key use of microgrids as they can provide peak shaving by discharging stored energy during peak demand periods and reduce the strain on the main grid and lower energy costs for consumers.

Additionally, microgrids can adjust their generation and consumption in real-time to maintain grid stability and reliability.

POWER: How can microgrids help reduce energy costs?

Cross: Microgrids can reduce energy costs through energy efficiency by optimizing the use of DERs and storage. They can also minimize losses and reduce grid consumption.

Microgrids also help reduce energy costs through demand response activities, which adjust energy usage based on grid signals, and offer financial incentives and resiliency, reducing down time and losses attributed to outages.

POWER: Can you provide at least one case study (name, location, operator, technology design, end user) of a working microgrid?

Cross: There is a BoxPower/Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Remote Grid in Briceburg, California. In collaboration with PG&E, BoxPower commissioned a hybrid renewable standalone power system in Briceburg. This system replaced traditional power lines in a high fire-threat area, enhancing reliability and reducing wildfire risk.

BoxPower also worked on Liberty Utilities’ microgrid for Sagehen Creek Field Station (Berkeley, California). BoxPower provided a 20-kW solar and battery system with propane backup to power Berkeley’s Sagehen Creek Field Station. This solution mitigated wildfire risks and offered a cost-effective alternative to upgrading transmission lines, saving more than $2 million.

Santa Barbara County (California) has initiated a comprehensive renewable energy project at its Betteravia campus in Santa Maria, California, to enhance energy efficiency and resilience. The initiative involves installing solar panels on the Betteravia campus’s parking structure and Fire Station 12’s roof in Goleta. Additional upgrades include LED lighting, electric vehicle charging stations, daylight-harvesting solar tubes, and a lithium-battery storage system.

The $4.5-million project is financed through a mix of general funds, loans from the California Energy Commission (CEC), and PG&E. The county anticipates utility savings of approximately $5.1 million over 15 years, resulting in net savings of around $658,000. It promotes energy efficiency, with upgrades that aim to reduce energy consumption, leading to significant cost savings. There is energy resilience, with the integration of renewable energy sources and storage, which enhances the county’s ability to maintain operations during grid outages. As for environmental impact, the project supports the county’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.