The adoption of microgrid technology will accelerate over the next few years, according to Navigant Consulting, which noted a Connecticut pilot program to test the technology.
A microgrid is a collection of centrally located businesses and/or facilities powered by a local source of generation, such as a fuel cell, diesel generator, or combined heat and power unit.
Microgrids offer greater resilience, a high potential for integrating distributed renewable generation resources, and the ability to isolate themselves from the wider power grid—a capability known as “islanding,” Navigant said.
Colorado-based Navigant predicted in a report published today that North America will lead the worldwide microgrid market with six gigawatts of capacity by 2020.
The report highlighted Connecticut’s adoption of a microgrid policy following two major storms within three months in 2011 that led to widespread power outages. The state hopes to start testing several dozen microgrids at various locations around the state this year, with an initial funding commitment of $15 million.
“The U.S. has pockets of poor power quality scattered across the country, as well as a structure of behind-the-meter markets for distributed energy resources that favors microgrids,” says Peter Asmus, principal research analyst with Navigant.
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