It has the capability to operate autonomously through the generation and storage of electricity and seeks to effectively and efficiently consume electricity. Improving reliability and reducing costs and emissions.
A Microgrid incorporates the elements of an Embedded Network, including the regulatory requirements and consumer protections, and takes it a step further to incorporate current and emerging technologies, such as Solar Generation, Battery Storage and Electronic Vehicle (EV) charging. It also incorporates energy efficiencies specifically for the Common Areas – such as LED lighting, sensor lighting, elevator management, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) and heat pumps.
It’s about providing cost effective electricity solutions that maximises the use of renewable energy and enable communities to, either individually or collectively, benefit from the communal generation, storage and supply.
Consumers are grappling with the rising cost of electricity, the threat of reliability, and the necessity of reducing their carbon footprint. The result is a push towards electricity independence and self-sustainability.
What if you can’t physically pursue independence and self-sustainability?
Consumers that own or rent a property within a multi-tenant building, such as an apartment building or shopping centre, in most cases do not have any allocated roof or basement space – key to implementing infrastructure such as Solar Generation and Storage. This fundamentally stifles investment and removes the possibility of energy independence and self-sustainability.
We must therefore look to the Owners Corporation, Body Corporate or single owner for investment.
Fortunately, many of these multi-tenanted buildings, residential and commercial, have been set up with the preliminary phase of a Microgrid, a private electricity network known as an Embedded Network. This private network can facilitate the integration of generation and storage and share the benefit amongst Occupiers.
Efficient and effective management of individual multi-tenanted buildings, Microgrids, will lead the way to assemble entire communities and benefit from shared generation and storage – a Smart City. Utilising technology and data and embracing innovation will lead to better management and supply of electricity for the whole community; reflected in lower costs, increased reliability and a heavy reduction in our carbon emissions. Of importance will be the customer centric approach that will put the experience of the individual in line with that of the city.
Through the Internet of Things approach, everyday objects, including appliances, cars, public transport and city infrastructure, will be interconnected and monitored, and used to drive real understanding, insight and action, to better manage and plan resources and services.
Renewable Generation and Battery Storage can lead to cost savings and improve energy efficiency. Microgrid offers numerous benefits.
Able to operate separately or independently from the main electricity network (if required), microgrids provide a more reliable power source by utilising its own local energy generation and storage. This means it’s able to operate even if the main grid is down. Microgrids can also synchronise with the main grid when necessary and support others in the local area.
As it doesn’t rely solely on mains power, a microgrid can provide better quality and supply of electricity to remote areas in a more cost effective way. This is also due to microgrids’ ability to close the distance between where the power is generated and where it is used, increasing efficiency.
Creating its own supply of local power, a microgrid is also able to store and share excess power among users. This ensures a more sustainable and cost effective system.
A microgrid is a good option for those looking for environmentally friendly systems, as it can be integrated with renewable energy sources. As energy from solar and wind power and battery storage grows more affordable and technology becomes more sophisticated, microgrids present great opportunities for reducing costs and improving energy efficiency.
Microgrids have proven to be very successful in places around the world that have been affected by outages caused by natural disasters. With its autonomous capabilities, it ensures that essential services continue operating in the case that the centralised energy grid is damaged.
For more information on Microgrids, please get in touch with our team at ENM Solutions.
We’ll get back to you within 2 business days.
We’ll get back to you within 2 business days.
