Microgrids, Smart Grids: Design and Deployment

 A microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that serves a discrete geographic footprint, such as a plot of land, college campus, hospital complex, business center, or neighborhood. A smart microgrid is enabled with software-based systems and components to monitor and control the usage of a micro-grid.  A combination of integrated and interconnected micro-grids are also defined as smart grids. 

One of the key components of a smart micro-grid is its capacity to generate electricity.  Such capability is defined by single-type or hybrid/combined power generation units from technologies such as solar, wind, diesel, gas to provide minimum baseline or peak requirements defined by target loads.

Another important component of a microgrid is its capacity to store energy in a battery array or bank.  Such array is designed to meet specific technology, operational, and maintenance standards to fulfill a specific need or consumption profile defined by the operator or end-users.

An efficient local electricity distribution network is of paramount importance to transport energy to all points of consumption within the micro-grid.  Properly-designed transforming, inverting, charging, tuning, distributing, and cabling equipment is required for quality and safe electricity use.  

Bi-directional, AMI-standard, smart meters are used to measure, monitor, and control via internet any/all individual energy loads (or groups of them) consuming electricity from grid generation unit(s) to effectively learn and improve micro-grid operational profiles and for POC billing support.

Smart Grid Management Technology is anchored by software system(s) that perform key operational and monitoring routines.  It actively enables the microgrid operator to profile usage, supervise operations, remotely control, and properly maintain equipment in a timely and effective way.