How does renewable energy affect the grid?
The transition to renewable energy continues to accelerate. By now, most Americans are familiar with seeing giant wind turbines lining mountain passes or enormous solar farms in their travels. Solar panels are becoming more commonplace. In predominantly sunny areas, they are nearly as prevalent as backyard pools.
On a global level, societies are shifting energy practices to incorporate more sustainable solutions. To the untrained eye, all “green” energy seemingly benefits consumers and the grid…right? In short, yes. However, it’s not without consequence.
With renewable energy, the biggest challenge is reliability. If the skies are cloudy, solar generation will drop, and if the wind isn’t blowing…well, you get the idea. Consequently, those responsible for managing the grid and ramping traditional generation resources up/down (i.e., coal-fired plants) face an unceasing challenge.
Is the addition of renewable energy to the grid sustainable?
For a decade or more, this topic has been discussed at length behind closed doors all over the country. Yet, despite the age and vulnerability of the grid, a substantial problem persists. Grids weren’t designed to handle renewable energy at all distribution levels, including at the final loads (commercial and residential). Once a unidirectional pathway of generation from high-level distribution to utilities and on to final loads is now a tangled web of competing resources at every level.
The need for a new distribution strategy on the grid is increasingly evident. Dealing with the volatility of renewable energy requires the development of more flexible methods. Moreover, the method must facilitate the integration of resources at all grid levels, including residential and commercial buildings. There are several competing concepts for grid-wide updates. However, this approach focuses on the challenges at the utility level.
Let’s go to the Islands
As solar panels and small-scale wind turbines have become more prevalent, the utilities’ customarily expected revenue is in decline. In addition, the volatility of renewable energy adds to the reliability concerns (referenced above). As a result, utilities are rethinking how they supply and service their areas. Meanwhile, modern technology is making one traditional concept, known as microgrids, more practical.
Microgrids are self-sufficient energy systems that serve a discrete geographic footprint, such as:
- College Campuses
- Hospital Complex
By leveraging microgrids, utilities can establish zones with the capability of functioning independently of the larger grid. When necessary, these zones function as their own “island.” Technology can help determine whether to operate the microgrid in island mode or connection with a larger grid.
Moreover, this helps to simplify the economics of expanding renewable energy on the grid and tackles reliability challenges. Several utilities in the United States are already piloting this technology with some success. By using interconnected microgrids as a proof of concept, these grids can support each other or sustain themselves independently.
Why go it alone?
At APT, we have decades of experience at the utility and commercial levels for all types of distribution solutions, including microgrids. Our experts specialize in designing, implementing, and maintaining the technologies driving today’s innovative grid solutions. Your
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Get in touch! Here at APT, we’re passionate about power. So, whether you are looking for a business solution or simply want to learn more, feel free to reach out. Above all, we are here to help in any way that we can.
Ken Shaffer | APT Engineering Operations Manager