The birth of home microgrids

When was the first microgrid built?

According to Pike Research, the first “modern industrial microgrid in the United States was a 64 MW facility constructed in 1955 at the Whitling Refinery in Indiana,” but most people are not aware the concept is much older. The microgrid concept dates back to the beginning of our industry.

What is a residential microgrid?

One appealing residential microgrid application combines market-available grid-connected rooftop PV systems, electrical vehicle (EV) slow/medium chargers, and home or neighborhood energy storage system (ESS). During the day, the local ESS will be charged by the PV and during the night it will be discharged to the EV.

Who owns a microgrid?

According to Navigant Research , the majority of grid-tied microgrids today are owned and financed by facility owners, especially in the campus/institutional category. It is important to recognize that microgrids, especially community microgrids, can utilize the existing distribution system infrastructure, radically reducing their costs.

Are microgrids a viable business model?

The ownership and business models of microgrids are still evolving. Microgrids are now emerging from lab benches and pilot demonstration sites into commercial markets, driven by technological improvements, falling costs, a proven track record, and growing recognition of their benefits.

Are microgrids good for rural and remote communities?

While this paper focuses on microgrids in areas with existing centralized electrical grids, it is important to remember that they also present many advantages to rural and remote communities in developing countries; these are covered in more detail below.

What is a grid-tied DC-based microgrid?

Lastly, a grid-tied DC-based, non-synchronous architecture simplifies interconnection with the AC grid and permits straightforward plug-and-play capabilities in the microgrid, allowing addition of components without substantial re-engineering .