Distributed Energy Resources – Microgrids
Summary
TLDRThe script discusses the challenges of energy supply and demand in the face of technological advancements, introducing distributed energy resources (DER) as a solution. DER systems, which include alternative energy sources, energy storage, and inverters, offer businesses a reliable, affordable, and clean way to meet energy demands. The script outlines steps for implementing DER, emphasizing the benefits of increased reliability, reduced costs, and environmental sustainability, and suggests contacting experts for further assistance.
Takeaways
- 🌐 The way businesses use energy is evolving with new technologies, but this can disrupt the balance of energy supply and demand, posing risks to productivity and revenue.
- 🔌 Traditional energy generation relies on large, remote power stations that use various sources, including coal, gas, nuclear, and renewables, and deliver energy through a complex grid system.
- 💡 The grid's reliability can be compromised, leading to situations where facilities may not receive power despite demand, impacting production and revenue.
- 🌟 Distributed Energy Resources (DER) offer an alternative, allowing businesses to generate and store energy on-site for more efficient use during peak times.
- 🔄 DER systems consist of alternative energy sources, energy storage units, and an inverter and distribution unit that manage energy flow within the facility.
- 🌞 Facilities with solar and wind power can maintain production during grid outages, but storage is essential for when these sources are unavailable.
- 🔌 Advanced inverters, such as island inverters, can disconnect from the grid for safety while continuing to power the facility, preventing 'islanding'.
- 🔄 A control unit directs energy to where it's needed, sending it to the facility during high demand and to storage during low demand or surplus.
- 🔋 Energy storage units, typically batteries, store excess energy for future use, enhancing the value of the DER system and enabling microgrid capabilities.
- 🛠️ Implementing a DER system involves conducting an energy assessment, understanding peak usage, and considering equipment and conditions necessary for energy production and storage.
- 🌿 DER systems are beneficial for the bottom line and the environment, offering reliability, cost savings, and clean, renewable energy options.
Q & A
How is the traditional energy supply system described in the script?
-The traditional energy supply system is described as having large energy-generating stations scattered around the state, usually in remote areas, which produce energy using various sources such as coal, gas, nuclear, and renewable energy. Energy is then delivered to end-users through complex transmission and distribution systems known as the grid.
What challenges does the current energy grid face according to the script?
-The script mentions that the current energy grid faces challenges in meeting the increasing demand for electrical energy, which can lead to problems that put companies at risk of decreased productivity and lost revenue.
What is the alternative solution presented in the script to meet a facility's energy demands?
-The script presents distributed energy resources as an alternative solution, which can help a business use energy more efficiently by creating and storing it on-site for use at peak operating times.
What are the components of a distributed energy system as described in the script?
-The components of a distributed energy system include alternative energy sources for electricity production, energy storage units, and an inverter and distribution unit that controls how energy is distributed on-site.
How does an inverter function in a distributed energy system?
-An inverter in a distributed energy system converts the direct current produced by most alternative energy sources into the alternating current required by business equipment.
What is the purpose of preventing islanding in inverters?
-Islanding prevention in inverters is primarily for the safety of grid workers, ensuring that power production on-site does not continue while the grid is down.
What is an 'Island inverter' and how does it differ from a standard inverter?
-An 'Island inverter' is designed to disconnect from the grid for safety while continuing on-site power production, unlike standard inverters that prevent islanding to ensure grid worker safety.
What role does a control unit play in a distributed energy system?
-A control unit acts as the hub to route where the energy goes next, sending it out to the facility during high demand and routing surplus energy to a storage unit during low demand.
How can a distributed energy system reduce electricity costs for a business?
-A distributed energy system can reduce electricity costs by allowing the business to purchase less energy from the grid, especially during peak times of use, and by avoiding demand charges.
What are some steps a business should take to implement a distributed energy system?
-Steps include conducting a thorough energy assessment, obtaining a full year of electric bill data, assessing peak energy use, determining barriers to energy improvements, considering equipment needs for energy production and storage, and evaluating other considerations such as electrical service and wiring.
How can a business get assistance with assessing the effectiveness and cost of distributed energy resources?
-A business can contact the Clean Energy and Transportation Initiative or STEADY at WWC ETI education org to be put in touch with an expert who can provide assistance.
Outlines
🔌 The Challenge of Energy Supply and Demand
This paragraph discusses the evolving landscape of energy usage in businesses and the challenges it poses to the existing electrical grid. It highlights the reliance on large, remote energy generating stations that use various sources like coal, gas, nuclear, and renewables. The script explains how these stations deliver energy through a complex grid system, which can be vulnerable to disruptions affecting businesses' productivity and revenue. The paragraph introduces the concept of distributed energy resources (DER) as a solution to increase energy efficiency, reliability, and cleanliness by generating and storing energy on-site, especially during peak times. It also touches on the components of a DER system, including alternative energy sources, energy storage units, inverters, and distribution units, and the importance of preventing 'islanding' for safety.
🌱 Implementing a Distributed Energy System
The second paragraph delves into the steps and considerations for implementing a distributed energy system within a facility. It emphasizes the importance of conducting an energy assessment to identify areas for improvement, such as increased reliability, lower emissions, or reduced peak demand charges. The summary advises obtaining a full year of electric bill data to understand energy consumption patterns and to assess peak usage times. It also mentions the need to consider regulatory barriers, local permits, and codes, as well as the impact on other tenants. The paragraph outlines the process of evaluating the necessary equipment for energy improvement, considering power needs and operational conditions such as weather or sunlight. It concludes by discussing the benefits of a microgrid-style system, including reliability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness, and suggests contacting the Clean Energy and Transportation Initiative for expert assistance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Energy Supply and Demand
💡Grid
💡Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
💡Alternative Energy Sources
💡Inverter
💡Energy Storage
💡Micro Grid
💡Energy Assessment
💡Peak Demand Charges
💡Regulatory Barriers
💡Renewable Energy
Highlights
The way businesses use energy is changing due to new technologies, affecting energy supply and demand balance.
The current energy grid struggles to meet the increasing need for electrical energy, leading to potential productivity and revenue loss.
Energy is generated in remote areas using various sources like coal, gas, nuclear, wind, and solar, and delivered through complex transmission systems.
Distributed energy resources offer a more efficient way for businesses to use energy by generating and storing it on-site.
Distributed energy systems include alternative energy sources, energy storage units, and an inverter and distribution unit.
Facilities with alternative energy sources like solar and wind can maintain production during grid power outages.
Inverters convert direct current to alternating current required by business equipment and prevent islanding during grid outages.
Island inverters allow for disconnection from the grid while continuing on-site power production, enhancing safety and reliability.
A control unit acts as the hub to route energy to where it is needed, managing demand and surplus.
Energy storage units, typically batteries, store energy for future use, enhancing the value of distributed energy systems.
Implementing a distributed energy system can reduce electricity costs, including peak time of use rates and demand charges.
Islanding capability in a disconnected mode enables the creation of a microgrid, providing energy independence.
Conducting a thorough energy assessment is crucial for identifying energy improvement needs and understanding consumption patterns.
Obtaining a full year of electric bill data can help assess peak energy use and identify facilities in question.
Separate metering may be required for separate facilities to confirm energy consumption and identify potential improvements.
Understanding local permits and codes is essential for making energy improvements and implementing distributed energy resources.
Considering the levels of power needed and the time of day they are needed is crucial for optimizing energy production and storage.
Other considerations include electrical service and wiring, installation requirements, and training, which can impact the success of a distributed energy system.
An on-site microgrid system can positively impact the bottom line and the environment by providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
Contact the Clean Energy and Transportation Initiative for assistance with assessing the effectiveness and cost of distributed energy resources.
Transcripts
[Music]
[Music]
you
the way businesses use energy continues
to change
new technologies bring exciting growth
in many industries but these changes can
affect the delicate balance of energy
supply and demand as today's grid
struggles to meet the increasing need
for electrical energy problems arise
putting companies at risk of decreased
productivity and lost revenue here's how
it currently works huge energy
generating stations are scattered around
the state usually in remote areas these
facilities produce energy using coal gas
nuclear and more recently renewable
energy sources like wind and solar
energy is delivered to the end-user
through complex transmission and
distribution systems also known as the
grid this process appears seamless to
the end-user you flip a switch and a
light turns on but what if something
happens to the grid somewhere between
the generating station and your facility
you flip a switch and the light doesn't
turn on no energy means no production
and no production means no revenue now
there's another way to meet your
facility's energy demands that is
affordable reliable and clean it's
called distributed energy resources
distributed energy resources can help a
business use energy more efficiently by
creating it on-site and storing it for
use at peak operating times such an
energy system consists of alternative
energy sources which produce electricity
energy storage units to store it and an
inverter and distribution unit which
controls how energy is distributed
on-site this is the brain of the
operation facilities with one or two
alternative energy sources like solar
and wind can carry production along for
a while in the event of a grid power
outage but when the sun goes down or the
wind stops blowing those energy sources
are gone adding energy generation and
storage resources frees youth from the
grid and allows you to operate in any
situation the key to this process is
what happens to the electricity when you
have alternative energy sources the
energy your facility generates is
transported to an inverter an inverter
converts the direct current produced by
most alternative energy sources to the
alternating current your business
equipment requires most inverters need
ac signals from the grid to operate and
because the AC power produced by
inverters flows both ways to the
consumer and to the grid they are
designed to prevent
islanding or continued power production
on site while the grid is down this is
done primarily for grid workers safety
recently inverters are coming onto the
market as Island inverters these are
designed to disconnect from the grid for
safety while continuing on-site power
production to keep things running a
control unit another critical component
acts as the hub to route where the
energy goes next when there is high
demand for energy the inverter and
control unit sends it out to your
facility to power anything that needs it
buildings vehicles equipment and more
during low demand or when there is a
surplus of energy generated energy is
routed to a storage unit which consists
of batteries this energy storage unit
does just that stores energy for future
use together the system can reduce
electricity costs from the utility such
as peak time of use rates and demand
charges add the capability of islanding
in a disconnected mode and you now have
a micro grid now that you know what
components are needed to implement a
distributed energy system for your
facility it's time to take a closer look
at how to make this a reality
here are some steps you'll want to take
1 conduct a thorough energy assessment
of your facility make a list of where
your facilities need energy improvements
such as increased reliability lower
emissions or reducing peak demand
charges obtain a full year of electric
bill data which includes level of
electric energy consumed throughout each
day 15-minute increments would be ideal
assess where and when peak energy use
occurs separate metering may be required
for separate facilities to confirm the
facilities in question or under your
control
make sure the properties are under your
control or if they may be leased in
under constraints that could affect your
energy options determine if you have
other tenants that may be impacted 3
determine if there are any barriers to
making the energy improvements consider
whether any regulatory barriers make
understand what local permits and codes
will allow for consider what you need in
distributed energy resources to achieve
improvement goals after taking a look at
what you already have for energy supply
consider what equipment may be needed to
achieve the energy improvement to
identified consider the levels of power
you need and the time of day you need
them based on current consumption
patterns then consider the energy
producing capacity of the equipment and
the conditions that are needed for
operation for example weather or
sunlight energy storage may be needed to
maximize the value of your distributed
energy system and make it possible to
island like a true micro grid five other
considerations other considerations will
need to be made of course such as
electrical service and wiring
installation requirements and training a
qualified engineer or contractor will be
able to assist you in the evaluation
specification and procurement stages of
the project an on-site micro grid style
system can positively impact your bottom
line and the environment how its
reliable multiple energy resources built
into your current facility means
production continues even if the grid
fails or if one of your resources isn't
available its affordable
once your system is up and running
you'll enjoy low energy bills by
purchasing less energy from the grid
you might even choose to be off the grid
completely it's clean energy produced
from your alternative energy sources can
be 100 percent pollution free coming
from renewable sources that are
naturally replenished and practically
limitless if you would like assistance
with assessing the effectiveness and
cost of distributed energy resources for
your company site contact the clean
energy and transportation initiative or
steady at WWC ETI education org will put
you in touch with an expert near you
you
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