Introduction to Microgrids (CMGs)

 Welcome to this blog which is focused on CMGs:  Community MicroGrids

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Let’s define microgrids

“ Microgrids are modern, small-scale versions of the centralized electricity system. They achieve specific local goals,  such as reliability, carbon emission reduction, diversification of energy sources, and cost reduction, established by the community being served. Like the bulk power grid, smart microgrids generate, distribute, and regulate the flow of electricity to consumers, but do so locally. Smart microgrids are an ideal way to integrate renewable resources on the community level and allow for customer participation in the electricity enterprise. 

Motorola's CEO Definition.

OR

A microgrid is a localized grouping of electricity generation, energy storage, and loads that normally operates connected to a traditional centralized grid (macrogrid). This single point of common coupling with the macrogrid can be disconnected. The microgrid can then function autonomously.^[8]

 Wikipedia's definition

OR

Microgrids offer a compelling alternative to traditional energy generation and distribution, utilizing smart grid technologies to enable integrated control of distributed power generation assets either in parallel to or “islanded” from the utility power grid.

 Pike Research

I respectfully disagree with all these definitions.  They are legacy definitions.  Like putting new technology over old cow paths.  Our electrical and energy infrastructure was designed (mostly by accident) and put in place over 100 years ago.  It is outdated at its core.  The model of the monopoly, oligarchy style utility and government regulation  longer work with our post-industrial society. We need new energy infrastructure.

Like a home gardener who has discovered permaculture and all its wonders by putting nature back to work, we need a permaculture based energy system, a community based independent energy microgrids tied to 100% renewables.

Yes we can  Live well without the mainstream energy grid

The mainstream microgrid industry is a very large booming BIG business, dominated mostly by the energy giants. The USA has 74% of the global microgrid market.  Most of these microgrids are for industrial/commercial and Institutional/campus sectors and use diesel or natural gas-powered co-generation system for a majority of their electrical energy.  This is a result of access to cheap natural gas and a desire to control their own energy pricing and reliability.

There is an alternative microgrid industry that is emerging: smaller, local-based microgrids.  So let's get started on reviewing these new smaller microgrids.  First, a few basic terminologies.

Mainstream Acronyms + Terminology:

AC, DC = Alternating Current,  Direct Current

CERTS = Consortium for Electrical Reliability

CHP = Combined Heat and Power

Co/Tri-gen = Cogeneration/Trigeneration (Heat/Cool + Electricity)

DER = Distributed Energy Resources

DPS = Distributed Power Systems

DUPS = Distributed Uninterruptable Power Supply

IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

PQR = Power Quality + Reliability

PV = Photovoltaics

RE = Renewable Energy

T+D = Transmission and Distribution

UEC = Uniform Electrical Code

UPS = Uninterruptable Power Supply

VSI = Voltage Source Inverters

I will be using the acronym CMG = Community MicroGrids from hereon out.  It is a plural word (microgrids), because a community’s microgrid  system consists of multiple, diverse microgrids all interconnected and with adjacent communities’ microgrids (not the main grid). A successful microgrid cannot stand alone.

 Clarifications + Approach

Most microgrid discussions are about electricity only.  A few add natural gas for heating (but mostly from co-gen), and very few talk about multiple energy sources.  They always talk about tying into the main grid and working with the utilities and governmental regulators. This is NOT the case for small, island type microgrids, which are built as stand-alone, from the ground up systems.

All my discussions about CMG will be from the ground up: from a local community’s individual citizenry platform and up.  Some people call this an organic or grass roots approach.   For mainstream microgrids it's usually from the ‘top-down’.

top-down microgrids won't work
Working from the 'top-down' is a non-starter.  We’ve tried it for over 30 years, and what has it gotten us?  I dare predict another ‘energy’ related disaster will occur within the next 12months.  Whether it’s a soft or hard accident is immaterial.  We are holding onto the thin thread that has a hundred pound gorilla doing a wire act.  There are inherent inefficiencies in our grid system for which we are all paying and helping continue an outdated, monopolistic energy system.  Bottom line: we are only getting 20-30% of the electrical energy out of our plugs, but paying for 100% of its generation!

I will NOT be discussing this 'top-down' microgrid approach.  There are many organizations pursuing this microgrid approach.

Instead, we need to work from a grass-roots level.  We need to work from the bottom up.  This is where CMG is positioned.

Defintion of CMG (Community MicroGrids)

A CMG is a stand-alone, small interconnected energy grid based on 100% renewable supplies;  that are transmitted and distributed only to local community residences and businesses.

• CMGs are connected to other similar CMGs within adjacent communities.  
• CMGs are not tied to the main utility grid, it is stand-alone. 
• CMGs provide 6sigma reliability and have safety as their primary objective.
• CMGs are developed, owned and maintained; 100% by local citizenry.
• CMGs monitor and heal themselves.

The use of the word ‘small’ in this definition is just that.  Most microgrids are massive: on the order of 100’s of megawatts.  This is an inappropriate application of the word ‘micro’.  The scale of CMGs should be on the order of 100's of kilowatts not megawatts.  With smart meters, smart controllers, and the upcoming energy internet; these CMG’s are easily interconnected to provide diverse, reliabile and steady supply of locally produced 100% renewable energy.  These energies can range from local biomass gasification (woodlands), geothermal (ground loops), solar thermal, solar PV, wind, small hydro, etc.  These CMGs can heal themselves by continually monitoring their own status and adjusting to variable loads, demands and potential faults. Yes, it is possible NOW.  The technology and innovations are there, we just need to DO IT!

It doesn’t get any greener or more sustainable than this.

Call to Action

Let’s create a community independent energy microgrid within YOUR community  First one, then two, then many.  Look around you - there is plenty of current solar income (C2C principle) available. All separate, all with hi-tech controls + equalizers, etc., all enabling a community to use and distribute it’s own local renewable resources to provide it's citizenry its essential energy needs.

It won't be easy.  It's a tall order. Look at what Marin County went through last year (trading PG+E for Shell). You can start today. Start by measuring your daily watts. 

We use  11,500+ watts/person/day (on average).   A big part of the success for CMGs will be to reduce this energy demand profile.  We need to get down around 3-5,000 w/p/d to make CMGs work.

More on that in the next blog: LCE (Lo-Cost Energy, a whole different approach). 

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Please email me directly if you'd like more information, a detailed presentation, or would like to join the team that we are putting together.