Did you miss
Rodolfo Garza
’s session on "Bridging Energy Access Gaps in Under-Resourced Communities with Microgrids" at
The Energy Expo
last week???
Here’s some key points he covered in his presentation:
- While the number of people with access to electricity has been rising over the last 3 decades, there are still roughly 1 billion people globally who live without electricity.
- Even as access grows, the cost of electricity is expected to rise anywhere from 10 to 30% across the globe in the coming decade. This is exacerbated by natural disasters like fires and floods that deteriorate or destroy portions of the grid.
- Adding energy storage near the load or on distribution feeders reduced T&D (Transmission & Distribution) upgrade requirements. It also decreases the reliance on long transmission lines to customers and can help optimize the grid for peak demand eliminating the duck curve that has so long plagued utilities as solar deployments grew.?
- One form of a solution are microgrids. A microgrid is a local electrical grid with defined electrical boundaries, acting as a single and controllable entity. They can be remote, grid-connected, or networked.
- Microgrids not only provide backup for the grid, but can also be used to cut cost, or connect to a local resource that is too small or unreliable for traditional grid use, and they can also provide power in remote locations.??
- Entire communal and virtual power plants can be created by aggregating resources and shifting demand for storage solutions to where it is needed. The grid infrastructure of the future becomes a mesh of variable assets that can be utilized and deployed where power is needed, eliminating the need for miles of power lines and the costs associated with maintaining it.?
- The ability to scale energy storage systems at every stage of this value chain creates a robust deployment of assets for both customer and utility use.
In a world where energy access remains unequal and the challenges of a changing climate loom large, the potential for microgrids to bridge these gaps and transform our energy landscape is vast. Rodolfo's insightful presentation not only sheds light on the transformative power of microgrids, but also the need for increased rapid development of these systems.
If you are intrigued by the potential of microgrids and want to explore how they can shape your next energy project, reach out to one of our dedicated Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions sales representatives. Their expertise can guide you through the process of developing and implementing solutions tailored to your needs.
