Directory:Microgrid
From PESWiki
A microgrid is composed of a small network of power generators for sharing electricity and heat on a local, community level. Think of it like peer-to-peer file-sharing technologies, such as BitTorrents (http://bittorrents.com), where demand is split up and shared around the network of "users". It supposedly can be integrated for substantial savings to the pocketbook and to the environment with no major changes to lifestyles.
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About
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Advantages
- Distributes the power so that it is not so vulnerable (in contrast to a central power company)
- Can easily integrate alternative energy production, such as wind or solar
- Reduces line transmission losses
- Heat from energy generation can be recouped into local uses for heating water or warming buildings in cold weather.
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In the News
- Microgrids as Peer-to-Peer Energy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4245584.stm) - Overview of the concept. (BBC; Sept. 25, 2005)
- Small is beautiful – scientist proposes new efficient and eco-friendly power plants (http://www.physorg.com/news6768.html) - Power plants of the future may be designed to provide electricity solely for an individual housing estate, village, factory or college. That’s the prediction of University of Southampton engineer Dr Tom Markvart. (PhysOrg; Sept. 26, 2005)
- Alternative energy research center fuels up for the future (http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/26/C01-293693.htm) - NextEnergy has a separate structure that it calls a microgrid power pavilion, which is used for testing engines that burn different fuels as well as for heating, cooling and powering the main building. (Detroit News; Aug. 26, 2005)
- Google News > Microgrid (http://news.google.com/search?q=Microgrid)
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Proponents
- Green Alliance (http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/) - Has been "pushing for micropower generation technologies, such as micro-CHP (combined heat and power) boilers; mini-wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays. Micro-CHP units work by turning heat which would normally escape through flues into electricity. Homeowners then sell any surplus electricity back to the national grid." (ref (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4245584.stm))
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Related Coverage
- Assessment of Microgrid Distributed Energy Resource Potential Using DER-CAM and GIS (http://www.earthscape.org/r1/ES14488/) - Report outlines a method to assess the local potential for deployment of distributed energy resources (DER), small power-generation installations located close to the point where the energy they produce will be consumed. (Earthscape; Apr. 2004)
- See: Google > Microgrid Distributed Energy (http://www.google.com/search?q=microgrid+distributed+energy)
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See also
- Grid (http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/Grid/) index at FreeEnergyNews.com
