Bring on the microgrids Original Article…. Think big, build small To some extent, data centers can already be seen as microgrids, able to survive for short periods on their own. “When the grid power goes down, the UPS kicks in, then the generator takes over. When the power comes back, we shut down the generation, and go […]
ENERGY STORAGE IS GROWING ON ONTARIO’S ELECTRIC GRID
A recent tour of Canada’s biggest battery allowed participants to get up close to an 8.8MW/40MWh lithium-ion array housed in an otherwise unremarkable looking shed in the Wright Industrial Park in Stratford, Ontario. “This is a historical moment,” says Stefan Goertz, Director of Development of Energy Services for Saturn Power, the EPC contractor. “But in the […]
Blockchain to Disrupt Traditional Energy Model
British energy giant Centrica announced April 30, 2018, that it plans to “deploy blockchain technology as part of Local Energy Market trial in Cornwall.” The platform, named Exergy, will enable small consumers and businesses to trade electricity with each other depending on need. The pilot project, to be implemented in partnership with LO3 Energy, aims to unlock potential savings […]
Why utilities and environmentalists can find common (green) ground
Low power prices and stagnant electricity demand have buffeted utilities. Energy efficiency has flattened electricity load across most of the United States, a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. More Americans have installed rooftop solar panels, which further reduces demand. Many in the power industry worry about the sustainability of their traditional business […]
Empowering the Powerless: Here Is How We Can End Energy Poverty
Distributed-energy technologies such as micro-grids can provide an electricity-deprived citizen with power — and the ability to create income. This pathway to power delivery is a disruptive force that will forever change the relationship between electricity user and producer. It makes it possible for a citizen with little capital to bypass the heavy hand of […]