Microgrids: Stand-Alone Energy Solutions

What Is a Microgrid?

In the simplest of forms, a microgrid is a small electric utility that can be separated from the larger electrical grid for stand-alone, independent operation, when needed. Microgrids provide a method to isolate or "island" power systems from vulnerabilities and efficiently manage distributed power generation from multiple sources such as diesel generators, gas turbines, fuel cells, wind turbines, and solar arrays. Because microgrids have a much smaller scale, they have fewer line losses, a lower demand on transmission infrastructure, the ability to rely on more localized sources of power generation, and are more easily controlled.

Microgrids are a comprehensive energy solution that can enhance security, create better reliability, improve economics, and help manage renewables.

The Future of Energy Efficiency

Microgrids are gaining popularity worldwide in the commercial, industrial, military, and institutional campus markets. SAIC is at the forefront of this new emerging market. "A new era of energy solution is at our doorstep: the microgrid. A well-designed microgrid can really enhance energy security, lower energy costs and drive renewable energy adoption. SAIC is well positioned to provide superior microgrid solutions," said Steve Schneider, an SAIC vice president and chief solutions architect.

Microgrid capacity worldwide will reach 4.7 gigawatts by 2017, representing $17.3 billion in annual worldwide revenue, the cleantech market intelligence firm Pike Research forecasts. The commercial application of microgrids is expected to expand rapidly over the coming years, from fewer than 100 fielded systems to more than 2,000 within the next four years, according to Pike Research.

"Microgrids can offer a quality and diversity of services that incumbent utilities have not been able to offer up to this point in time," said Peter Asmus, senior analyst with Pike Research. "What's more, the distributed resources on which these systems rely can work together whether they are connected to the larger utility grid or operate in island mode, at the campus or community level."

Microgrid Project: Leveraging Electric Vehicles for Facility Efficiency

The ability to power your home from your car, or residential vehicle-to-grid integration, is still about 10 years off in the United States, according to Jim Northrup, vice president for power and energy at SAIC. However, the technology behind it already exists and SAIC is using it.

SAIC is working with the Department of Defense to launch one of the first vehicle-to-grid pilot projects in the United States at the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. The Aloha Microgrid Project is part of the DoD’s larger efforts to move to electric cars.