Microgrids – Passing Energy Fad? Or Here to Stay?
Efficiency is a key factor in most any industry. For the energy sector, this especially rings true, not just for innovation, but for profitability as well. Throughout the course of the past several decades, the United States has been experiencing a rising number of new energy advancements including natural gas, hydraulic fracturing, and wind and solar energy. While these developments have quickly become common household names, if not a part of our day-to-day lives, there is one newer technology that is undoubtedly gaining prominence: the microgrid.
A microgrid is a modern technological advancement which represents a smaller scale integrated energy system. In addition to electricity production, microgrids are also responsible for energy storage; this gives them the ability to be used either in conjunction with the utility’s existing power grid or as an entirely separate entity of their own. Major benefits of the microgrid’s flexibility include:
- Lower demand on transmission infrastructure
- Fewer line losses
- Ability to rely on local power sources
Although microgrids do still face several barriers including integration and associated costs, they are already well on their way to becoming more widespread. In fact, campus, military, remote, community, and commercial and industrial sectors are some of the biggest markets currently taking advantage of microgrid benefits; however, the Department of Defense is one of the most recent administrations to express interest in using microgrids. Due to their mission to improve energy security, the DOD is working to produce over 600-megawatts of energy by 2018.
Benefits of microgrid use don’t stop at limiting fossil fuels for electricity generation. Integrating additional renewable resources, such as wind and solar at the local distribution and grid level, and enabling military bases to sustain operations no matter what, are just a few unique perks of using microgrids. Hospitals are also beginning to take notice of the microgrid, as guaranteed power can be an absolute lifesaver when it comes to keeping all medical equipment running continuously and effectively.
Regardless of industry, microgrids are becoming a popular development providing great benefits to any site looking to take advantage of continuous and reliable power. In turn, this additional boom in yet another facet of the energy sector means one thing for hopeful job seekers: more energy jobs. If you are interested in learning more about how the rise in microgrid popularity can help you find your next job in the energy field, contact the experts at FootBridge Energy today!
