There are companies, communities or locations in which the network infrastructure is not sufficient or is unstable, which causes an increasing search for energy autonomy that allows not to depend on a main network and increases efficiency. Microgrids or isolated networks are a solution to this problem.
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What are microgrids?
Microgrids are small distribution networks that emulate the operation of the main network, but operate autonomously and on a smaller scale.. These networks are made up of power generators such as solar panels or wind turbines and storage systems.
There are microgrids that can be connected to a main network and others that are independent and act in isolation from the network and work as an "island".
Microgrids have the capacity to generate, store and distribute energy more efficiently and sustainably. They can take advantage of renewable energy sources and combine them with storage systems to ensure a constant supply of electricity. In addition, microgrids offer greater flexibility and resilience, as they can function autonomously in the event of main grid failures or natural disasters.
In what locations would a microgrid be useful?
At first, we might think that a microgrid would be generally useful in remote places such as towns on the outskirts, but, on the contrary, they have many other applications.
Industrial or commercial parks
Industrial and commercial parks can implement microgrids to increase their energy resilience and reduce costs. By generating this power locally with their own systems, they can avoid supply interruptions and manage power demand more efficiently.
military installations
Microgrids are beneficial in military installations as they can ensure continuity of power supply in the event of failures or attacks on the main grid. In addition, by integrating renewable energy sources, dependence on fossil fuels is reduced, which improves and increases safety at the facilities.
A microgrid can be built that, for example, is isolated in direct current and uses photovoltaic generation and storage to supply critical loads and another that is connected to the rest of the communications system, that combines self-consumption with backup generation and connected to the main network. In this way, the facilities will be fully covered.
In the case of the Pixii Powershaper 2, thanks to its modular solution and its simple plug & play connection, it would allow transport from one military installation to another in case it was needed.
isolated rural communities
Microgrids can provide electricity to remote communities that do not have access to the main electricity grid. This allows them to have energy for lighting, basic appliances and charging devices, improving their quality of life and economic opportunities.
Resorts, campsites or hotels
Implementing microgrids in hotel complexes or campsites can result in increased energy efficiency and greater independence from the grid.
Example of microgrid in Resort:
A resort needs 1200 kW per day to be in operation, so it decides to distribute this power generation in 3 points.
- 400 kW of energy directly contracted from the grid
- 450 kW of power produced with gasoline generators
- 400 kW generated by photovoltaic panels
By adding all these kW of power generation, we would get 1250 kW, so at first glance we would have no problem keeping the entire resort running, but we already know that in terms of electricity there are many factors that can vary the final number. , such as poor infrastructure in electricity transmission lines.
Of the 400 kW that are generated with the solar panels, we could only count on them during the day, so these 400 kW would be missing at night.
Regarding the 450 kW of energy that would be produced with gasoline generators, we could have supply problems, so sometimes we could not count on this energy at 100%.
The solution in this case would be to implement an intelligent storage system with Pixii Power Shaper 2 that would allow us to store the surplus energy that we produced during the day, to use it at night., in this way we would not depend on the main network or the generators and would take a step forward in energy independence. At the same time, by incorporating functionalities such as the Peak Shaving, load shifting, phase balancing, we will be able to reduce bills and increase energy efficiency.
