Ask the Expert: What is a Virtual Power Plant, or VPP? (Part 1)

Written by Jeff Perkins, ERS In this two-part series, Zondits will explore virtual power plants as an emerging technology that serves as a dynamic and boundless collection of resources. Part 1 will focus on defining what exactly a VPP is and how it is unique from the common microgrid concept. Part 2, brought to us … Read more

Two National Grid Projects Steal Spotlight on the Big Stage

This article was originally published on csrwire.com on Nov. 8, 2019. Their work is paving the way for the global transition to a clean, resilient, and reliable grid. – Janice Lin, Energy Storage North America Conference Chair National Grid today announced that two of its energy storage projects have been recognized as Energy Storage North … Read more

Microgrids Keeping Airlines Ready for Takeoff

This article was originally published on cnbc.com on Nov. 3, 2019. Should airports go off the grid? Pittsburgh International Airport — and others — think so. Remember that 11-hour power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in December 2017 that canceled hundreds of flights, stranded thousands of passengers and cost Delta Airlines alone an estimated $50 million … Read more

“Smart Community” in Alabama Acts as Living Laboratory for Microgrid

city town Alabama connectivity community

Alabama Microgrid Studies Future of Energy Infrastructure Written by Andrew Soergel, usnews.com, July 2, 2018 At first glance, the newly constructed Reynolds Landing community in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, looks like any other newly constructed well-to-do neighborhood. The homes carry a modern, though not entirely futuristic, design. The streets wind in a rectangle, branching off in one … Read more

ComEd Approved to Develop a Microgrid in Chicago

microgrid

Illinois regulators give controversial ComEd microgrid the green light Energy News Network, February 28, 2018 The Illinois Commerce Commission Wednesday granted ComEd’s request to develop a microgrid on Chicago’s South Side and bill ratepayers for the $25 million project. Opponents including the Illinois Attorney General’s office have long argued the microgrid is too expensive and … Read more

Stone Edge Farm Microgrid Helps Save Farm From Recent Wildfires

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How An Intelligent Microgrid Saved A California Vineyard Amidst Wildfires — Stone Edge Farm Story Clean Technica, November 28, 2017 We recently had the opportunity to speak with Craig Wooster, Project Manager & General Contractor at the Stone Edge Farm (SEF) Microgrid Project, about the impressive work the team is doing to take the farm off the … Read more

NY Prize Stage 2 Winner Includes Waste-to-Energy Generation

waste-to-energy

Syracuse Microgrid Forecasts Positive Return Leveraging Waste-to-Energy Microgrid Knowledge, April 11, 2017 The Syracuse microgrid, one of 11 NY Prize Stage 2 winners, is forecasting a strong financial return using waste-to-energy generation that eases pressure on local landfills. Led by the Central NY Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB), the project is the only Stage … Read more

What is a Microgrid?

microgrid

How the World Defines Microgrids and Why You are Confused Microgrid Knowledge, January 30, 2017 Microgrid, mini-grid, picogrid… All this tiny terminology can add up to some big confusion. Even the industry itself defines microgrids in different ways. Microgrids, mini-grids and picogrids have some things in common: they are all locally generated, locally distributed sources of clean energy. Is … Read more

Can Distributed Energy Solve the Energy Poverty Problem?

Gita Subramony, ERS, for Zondits The discussion on distributed and clean energy often focuses on societies or groups of people who have access to electricity but are hoping for cleaner alternatives. But what about the 1.2 billion people in the world who do not have reliable or consistent access to electricity? How do we address … Read more

Keeping the Lights On

Gita Subramony, ERS, for Zondits CityLab takes a look at Hoboken New Jersey’s plans to develop its own back-up power supply. In 2012, Hoboken was one of the many communities devastated by Superstorm Sandy. Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from New York City, is a low-lying urban community, and it was almost completely underwater … Read more