The power grid is evolving as renewables deploy at scale in response to new regulations around the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Highly variable renewable resources such as wind and solar, while cleaner sources of energy, present challenges around grid stability and reliability. The growing popularity of electric vehicles will only compound the challenges. The solution for resiliency and stability may be dual purpose microgrids.
A new white paper from Enchanted Rock explores how the distributed generation technologies of dual purpose microgrids can offer both value to site hosts as well as stability to the grid at large. The paper explores power outages and the declining reliability of the US electric grid, using the recent extended outage in Texas as an example.
The authors share insights as to how dual purpose microgrids can provide local resiliency to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, while also providing support services to the larger utility grid and wholesale energy markets. The paper also discusses the energy transition and shifting energy infrastructure priorities.